Why Suarez should give the Emirates a miss

Arsenal – bad idea?

The rumours surrounding two top strikers in England are keeping the English press occupied in what has otherwise been a passive month in the transfer market. The Wayne Rooney issue might still be far from resolved, but the astonishing 40 million pound bid by Arsenal for Luis Suarez is no doubt going to push this saga to the front pages of the tabloids.

This is the first real sign that we have seen about the much promised “new-look Gunners”. After years of moaning about clubs spending a lot of money on players, Arsenal have decided to loosen their purse strings and have tabled a competitive bid for a top class player who has adapted well (on-field at least) to English conditions.

Brendon Rodgers and Liverpool have reportedly rejected this bid and that will test Arsenal’s resolve as they hope to keep their prized assets while looking to strengthen their squad at the same time. The player in question, nonetheless, is “flattered” by links to Arsenal and might force a move to North London, but it could be more beneficial for Suarez to stay put in the long run.

Arsenal may have achieved Champions League football every season, but the fact that they are a receding powerhouse is there for all to see. For many years now, they have just been making up the numbers in the top four and have not been a threat to the Manchester clubs and Chelsea. They have lacked ambition and the desire to go the extra mile to sign players in the transfer market and have thus missed out on world beaters such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Juan Mata. The willingness to shatter the club record transfer in bringing Suarez to the Emirates may be an improvement, but Arsenal are still a couple of quality players away from putting forth a genuine claim to be title contenders.

Liverpool, in that respect, are not very far away themselves from making a break into the top four. For a team led by Steven Gerrard and a few good value signings in Iago Aspas, Mignolet and Coutinho, it is not hard to imagine Suarez leading from the front to get them back into contention for Champions League football, which is what he craves now. Another good season at Merseyside and he could potentially attract bigger suitors from around the continent, and an immediate move might not be in the player’s best interests.

Jumping ship to Arsenal at this point is, at best, a slight upgrade; unless the Gunners splash the cash it could be many a season before they break the stranglehold of the Manchester clubs and their West London rivals on the Premier League title. The Liverpool fans and staff, who have supported Suarez through thick and thin, have voiced their opinion and want to keep Suarez at the club and since “good things come to those who wait”, Luis Suarez would be the wiser for staying at Anfield.