Gonzalo Higuain and the changing dynamics at Arsenal

Arsenal not playing misty any more: Wenger looks to compete with European powerhouses in the transfer window this summer

The impending transfer of Higuain not only changes the whole notion of Arsenal being a ‘selling club’ but also improves the squad manifolds. What prompted Wenger to change his philosophy is yet unascertained but Theo Walcott’s contract deadlock and the manner in he which arm twisted the club into a better contract certainly contributed to it. Not just the best players but even the ‘better’ ones were open to a move elsewhere. That might just have set off the panic button.

By moving for Higuain, Wenger has made all the right noises to the other teams in the Premier League as well to his ‘strong nucleus of ambitious young players’. And although fans would not have minded this realization to have dawned on the Frenchman a couple of seasons back, but by sheer happenstance the timing of this has made the English first division a better contest.

Gonzalo Higuain could possibly turn out to be the signing of the season if Arsenal eventually sign him. The 25-year-old, born in France (I had to point that out), can permanently put an end to all the misery in front of goal. The Argentine international made his first ever competitive appearance when he turned out for River Plate back in 2005. In 2007, Real Madrid came calling for his signature and he joined the Los Blancos for a reported sum of €12m. But despite showing glimpses of his goal scoring ability, he could not get a foothold in the starting line up until a torn meniscus in the right knee ruled out Ruud Van Nistelrooy from further featuring for Madrid in the 2008-09 season. Higuain became a prominent figure in the side’s attacking schemes and ever since has thrice scored 20 plus goals in a season.

Real Madrid’s decision to let him leave the Bernabeu and favour Benzema has been misinterpreted by many as a direct inequation between the two players. Higuain and Benzema were played in tandem by Mourinho last season with very little to choose between them with respect to the number of minutes they spent on the pitch. A closer look at the statistics (note: La Liga) would tell that despite having spent less time on the field than Benzema, Higuain has been successful at scoring more goals in the years 2011 and ’12 with a superior goal to minute ratio. However, Higuain flopped in the last edition of Champions League as he failed to reproduce his domestic form in Europe creating a mirage influencing people to assume him to be an average striker.

However, this false impression has worked in favor of the Londoners as £22m for Higuain is a steal when Andy Carroll is bought for £15m in the same window. While most teams are busy chasing the Cavanis and the Suarez’s, the Gunners have acquired the services of an equally good striker for half their evaluation. Although Pipa will not have a midfield as talented as the one he had at Bernabeu but with Santi Cazorla, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere he does have a promising supply line.

When Robin Van Persie opted to leave and join Manchester United, Wenger tried to replace him with Olivier Giroud. While Van Persie is a complete forward who can score goals as well as set up others, Giroud is more of a targetman who primarily relies on his aerial prowess to score. Despite not being a like for like replacement, Giroud overcame a stuttering start to his Arsenal career to finish with a respectable 17 goals in his debut season. But Higuain is more in the Van Persie mould; he will score goals as well be involved in the build up play unlike Giroud. He will drop deep and even run the channels dragging his marker along with him. Standing at 6 feet tall, El Pipita barely provides any threat in the air but his pace can provide a terrific outlet during counter attacks.

It would be a fallacy to even think Wenger would be digging that deep into his purse if he weren’t sure as to how much Higuain would improve his squad. Although most people would be discussing over his move in the light of Wenger’s change in stance, for the sake of the Gunners’ fans I hope that changes a year later.