Gonzalo Higuain, Arsenal await you with open arms

Why then, did these questions persist? Was it because he was not one of Real Madrid’s own? As Sid Lowe says in the Guardian:

“When Higuaín arrived in the winter of 2006-07, some team-mates ironically dubbed him Igualín – roughly, Samey – because he was just like Ronaldo. He did not always take his chances and the goals didn’t flow.

Despite being Hispanic, one of the problems could have been that he wasn’t Spanish to begin with. Real Madrid have always been associated with Spanish nationalism during the regime of the hated Francisco Franco and some of those sentiments have never gone away.

Add to that his Argentine nationality, a problem that also affected Lionel Messi when he first came to Spain. The man now idolised as one of modern-day football’s greatest players was given a provisional Barcelona license in 2001, but was only allowed to play league football in 2005, after a long-winded legal process between the club and the Professional Football League.

Spanish football rules that year had been amended to state that naturalised non-EU players’ between the ages of 17 an 19 who had developed at a Spanish club were allowed to occupy an EU berth because they had come up through the ranks. This meant that Messi was perfectly allowed to play despite Barca’s three non-EU spots occupied by Ronaldinho, Rafa Marquez and Eto’o.

But clubs had complained that this modification was only made to allow Messi to play. Inter Milan were circling and despite Messi finally putting pen to paper on a pro contract, he was still not allowed to play as the League’s representatives had voted against that amendment.

It was only when Messi finally took Spanish citizenship that he was finally permitted to play. But other clubs still saw him as foreign and threatened to kick up a storm. Nothing would happen though: he was now legally permitted to play.

“He’s a top, top player. He will always score goals. He likes to be in the box all the time and he works hard for his team – wherever he goes he’s going to be great for the team he’s joining.”

- Osvaldo Ardilles

It is a similar case with Higuain, who is regarded as foreign. He is the model of consistency at Madrid. During the 2009-10 season, he scored more goals (29) than star signing Cristiano Ronaldo, but his detractors were always waiting for him to slip up.

When he did, they were quick to make him the scapegoat. When Real lost out to Lyon in the Round of 16 of the Champions League in 2010, Higuain – who hit the post in that game – was made the fall guy. When he missed chances against Bayern in the semis two seasons ago, despite not being fully fit and carrying a back injury, he was jeered whenever he showed signs of profligacy.

No one pointed fingers at Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil, who had missed opportunities that were equally gilt-edged.

Despite Higuain’s goal getting Real to a record 100-point mark that season, those at the top – like Commodus was of Maximus in Gladiator - seemed enraged whenever he scored. One had to wonder therefore whether those who wanted him to leave had their own interests in mind.

Last season, Higuain had a conversion rate of 27.8%, and only six players had a better percentage than he did. He is, therefore the model of consistency. Consistency that Arsenal would do well to acquire.

At Arsenal, politics do not come onto the pitch, and that means Gonzalo Higuain would be guaranteed a place at the Emirates Stadium if he continues to showcase the talents that made Jose Mourinho persuade him to stay on when he had made up his mind to leave.

His excellent presence in the box means he is the man to snaffle home the myriad number of chances that the Gunners create. He can switch between the roles of fox in the box and centre forward effortlessly and with the ability to peel past the last defender and close the opposition down quickly, he is indeed a player who will be loved by all at Ashburton Grove.

And that, at long last could see the return of silverware to the Arsenal.