Why Eden Dzeko will be a perfect fit for Arsenal

The term super-sub is a label that no professional footballer wants attached to their head. Although it’s likely that a string of scintillating performances from the bench has seen the tag affix itself to you, the fact that you aren’t being deployed from the get-go is something that will presumably start to grate.

One man who has been branded just that is Manchester City forward Edin Dzeko, who completed just nine full Premier League games last term. Although the Bosnian did rack up an impressive 32 appearances from the 38 games available, half of those were as a substitute.

Despite the staggered playing time – he spent 1822 minutes on the pitch – Dzeko was still able to finish the season as the club’s top scorer and 10th overall in the league. The 27-year-old was quick to shrug off the claim that being an impact player from the bench was a negative thing, but 11 games into the new campaign and there is a similar theme occurring. Dzeko has completed just one full 90 minutes this time round from his seven appearances and is said to be growing disheartened in the situation that he finds himself in.

Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo have scored 12 league goals between them this season in their newly-formed front pairing, and with Stevan Jovetic also arriving at the club for big money in the summer the Metro have Dzeko down to pack his bags and seek a new home.

One club who are well-documented to be on the prowl for a goal-getter to add to their ranks is Arsenal, who are currently forced to rely on Nicklas Bendtner as back up for Olivia Giroud, which is unfortunate to say the least.

While both Giroud and Dzeko are big, burly forwards who like to get in the face of defenders, their respected approaches to the game have huge differences. While Dzeko enjoys playing with his back to goal, receiving passes to feet and is willing to fizz an effort from any blade of grass on the pitch, Giroud is more comfortable exploiting defences with quick, sharp runs and working himself into dangerous positions inside the box.

Dzeko’s all-round game is strong. For a towering forward he possesses notable ball control and is able to invite others into play with ease. His pass completion rate, his duel success and his shot accuracy all surpass anything that Giroud has managed this season, but the latter is a more creative outlet.

The 2008/09 Bundesliga top scorer guarantees you goals, though, and is streets ahead of any other player challenging for Giroud’s spot at the Emirates right now. Dzeko has scored three goals in 357 minutes of football so far this season, which compared to the likes of Fernando Torres – one goal in 412 minutes – Roberto Soldado – four goals ( three of which were penalties) in 881 minutes – and Bendtner – who hasn’t scored a club goal since early last year – it gives you a clearer view of what he’s about.

Dzeko has scored with both feet and with his head this season as well as claiming an assist, all while supposedly being disgruntled with life in Manchester. A move away from the club and a run of games could be exactly what the 27-year-old needs to embellish his reputation and ultimately present him with the chance to hit some form before he leads the line for Bosnia and Herzegovina in their first-ever World Cup next year in Brazil.