Wissam Ben Yedder could be the surprise solution to Arsenal’s striker problem, after reports emerged the Gunners are ready to sign the Toulouse star for £8 million in the next 48 hours.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has never been shy about shunning the high-priced, big names to take a chance on a hidden gem or two. He’ll be hoping to spring a pleasant surprise with Yedder, who will decide whether or not to join the Gunners in the next 48 hours, per Ludo Deroin of French source Canal+, via Get French Football News:
Wissam Ben Yedder should make a decision between Arsenal & Sevilla in the coming hours, according to @ludo_deroin of Canal +.
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) July 26, 2016
The fee for the 25-year-old is likely to be around £8 million, according to the Sun‘s Duncan Wright. Interest from Sevilla makes sense since primary striker Kevin Gameiro has been strongly linked with La Liga giants Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, according to Radio Sevilla, via Spanish publication Sport.
Of course, Arsenal’s need for a striker is just as great. Specifically, Wenger must find a more mobile and pacy alternative to target man Olivier Giroud.
What the Gunners really need is a striker instinctive and quick enough to exploit gaps between the lines and race clear to meet the astute through passes played by schemers Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla.
Aligning pace with quick and clever passes into gaps has always been the foundation of Wenger’s footballing philosophy. It explains the type of strikers Arsenal have been linked with during this summer’s transfer window.
First, there was Leicester’s cheetah-fast goal machine Jamie Vardy, linked by Stuart James of the Guardian back in June:
Understand that Arsenal have triggered the release clause in Jamie Vardy's contract. Leicester still determined to keep hold of him.
— Stuart James (@stujames75) June 3, 2016
More recently, Ligue 1 side Lyon revealed they turned down a €35 million Gunners offer for Alexandre Lacazette, per a club statement, via the Press Association and the Guardian.
Matt Spiro of beIN Sports cited an article from French outlet L’Equipe originally crediting Arsenal with interest in Lyon’s jet-heeled and stylish finisher:
Alexandre Lacazette has told Lyon he wants to move this summer, according to 'several sources'. #PSG and #Arsenal both interested (L'Equipe)
— Matt Spiro (@mattspiro) July 21, 2016
Even before those links, Wenger appeared keen to find a quicker alternative for Giroud. He’s tried Lukas Poldolski, Gervinho and Theo Walcott through the middle since signing Giroud from Montpellier in 2012.
Fortunately, Ben Yedder has the qualities Wenger is looking for. He’s swift, mobile and prolific, evidenced by 23 goals and five assists for Toulouse last season, per Metro‘s Mark Brus.
If there’s a concern, it’s Ben Yedder’s slight 5’7″ frame, referenced by Brus and Wright, who noted how West Ham United worried the Frenchman is “too small for Premier League football.”
Yet, Wenger is unlikely to be as concerned. Instead, he’ll focus on Ben Yedder’s technical acumen and speed.
In many ways, this signing would be reminiscent of the deal to sign Eduardo da Silva from Dinamo Zagreb in 2007. That decision to shun some of the bigger names on the market for a gifted unknown looked like a masterstroke before Eduardo suffered a broken leg at Birmingham City in February, 2008.
Arsenal fans will need to trust Wenger’s eye for a bargain is still as discerning if Ben Yedder arrives.
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