Juventus capture of Gonzalo Higuaín from Napoli once again highlights Arsenal’s persistent failure in the transfer market.
Higuaín, 28, Tuesday, joined the Italian champions for €90million – thereby ending any possibility of a move to the Emirates Stadium.
It is the second time in four years the Argentine has ignored Arsene Wenger’s team – first in 2013 when he choose to move to Naples from Real Madrid.
As Arsenal fans continue to sob over another missed opportunity, we examine five key areas where the superstar forward could have strengthened the team.
- Proven goalscorer
Higuaín boasts an incredible goalscoring record for both club and country. In his three seasons in Italy, the forward notched 81 goals in 107 games and 107 in 190 while at Real. For the Albiceleste, Higuan has found the net for an impressive 30 times in just 63 appearances.
- Rarely gets injured
Arsenal players are fondly criticised for being too light weight – with majority getting injured at every tiny tackle received. However, Higuaín on the other, is certain to play above 30 games per season if properly managed. He was only sidelined twice in three years at Napoli with both injuries lasting for a single month each.
- Experience
At 28, Higuaín would have added experience to a relatively youthful Arsenal side. The striker who broke Gunnar Nordahl’s famed record of most goals scored in a single Serie A season, is certain to also bring lots of exposure to the team having played at the highest level for over seven years.
- Remarkable combo with Ozil
Higuaín probably played his best football alongside Arsenal man, Mesut Ozil, while at Real Madrid with the German contributing more than half of his 107 goals scored at the Santiago Bernabeu. The prospect of the pair reuniting once again at the Emirates would have given the Arsenal faithful some reason to hope for a first Premier League title in a dozen years.
- Brand endorsements
Arsenal signing Higuaín would have made sense commercially owing to the player’s rising reputation. The club is certain to recoup a bulk of the amount paid for the striker from jersey sales, endorsements and adverts just as they did for superstars signing, Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.
