As March rolls around, there are always some things we can be certain of. The weather improves, the season begins drawing to its close and the wheels come off of Arsenal’s title push for another campaign.
While a poor defence is the usual suspect for such poor form at the Emirates, it’s the lack of innovation and consistency in front of goal that has cost the Gunners more recently and Arsenal fans are calling out for a new frontman. How does Wenger respond? In typical Arsene fashion of course; he begins scouting a complete unknown.
That said, Arsenal’s new transfer target, Roma striker Umar Sadiq, poses bags of potential and may well prove to be the long-term solution to the frailties up-top.
The Basics
Born in Kaduna, Nigeria, the 19-year-old started his career in his home nation with Abuja FC in the third tier, before moving to Italian outfit Spezia in 2013. Currently on loan at Roma, the forward has two goals in six appearances for I Giallorossi, after he netted an impressive 16 goals in 16 matches for the youth side.
Prior to his switch to the capital, Sadiq was in electrifying form with Spezia, where he bagged 26 goals in 24 appearances in his debut season to begin voicing his bid to be African football’s next top talent.
Playing Style
Sadiq is an oddity. Very few with an imposing stature like his posses such dynamic movement and agility. At 6’ 6”, the youngster is a giant with a prominent aerial ability and unrivalled core strength. Each of his two goals for Roma epitomise different sides to his playing style.
His first came in a match with Genoa, where his pin-point diving header secured a 2-0 victory and outlined his improving technique and eagerness to impress. The second, a last gasp winner against high-flying Chievo, was a lot less elegant but the scrappy finish from close range highlighted his ability to pick up the right pockets of space at the right time as well as his die-hard desire to score goals.
In the world of Italian football, a hotbed for acute defences and tactical know-how, Sadiq has had to adapt his game ever-so-slightly. Rather than focusing purely on the power and strength his frame assists, Sadiq has had to utilise his quick turn of pace and close ball control a lot more and he feels himself that this has enabled him to further his game.
“I can say that my game has improved both physically and technically,” the 19-year-old explains. “I'm more aware of my role now as a striker more than ever.”
So, with a contagious desire to improve all areas of his game, a great sense of anticipation and sharp mobility, and as a towering figure that can bully defences, Umar Sadiq seems to have the whole package. Of course, this is not the case with any footballer, though.
In terms of weaknesses, the Nigerian forward lacks confidence on occasion, as with any young footballer, while his end product needs perfecting for him to reach the highest level. Overall though his competence and general ability are already rendering him a target of a host of European clubs.
How he’d fit in at Arsenal
Rumours have emerged that the Gunners are prepared to table a very tasty offer indeed, potentially in the region of £15.7 million, so they better be sure the deal is suitable. At present, the club have six recognised out-and-out strikers, as well as a catalogue of attacking midfielders.
Danny Welbeck’s return has not had the impact many first expected it to have, while Alexis Sanchez has been plagued by injury throughout this season and has thus failed to string together any kind of rhythm.
The attacking contingent at Arsenal are superb at fashioning opportunities in front of goal, but there is a unanimous belief that nobody has been able to emulate the clinical finishing ability of Robin Van Persie in his final season in North London.
Sadiq, should he sign for Arsenal, would bring an attitude contrasting to the club’s other big transfer targets; the Nigerian still needs to prove himself consistently and so his hunger would potentially be a lot greater than that of Aubameyang or Benzema.
Olivier Giroud has attempted to instil a second dimension to the Gunners’ game but his more direct approach has often left him floundering in dry patches. Umar Sadiq can operate in both systems; if the opposition is less physical, then he can act as a target man, while he is able to play off of someone like Giroud and he can utilise his extra pace and agility against sides which focus on defending.
It can certainly be said that the deal would be a risky one, but with the highest shot accuracy in the Roma squad this season (75%), albeit across only six matches, Sadiq could be a player worth gambling on and it would save on money too.
