It's been no secret that Arsenal require more firepower up front if they are ever going to reclaim the Barclays Premier League, however, financial restrictions over the years as a result of the creation of Emirates Stadium have held them back in this regard. Despite this, Arsene Wenger's uncanny ability to churn out top-4 performances year-on-year has maintained Arsenal's status as one of the most attractive sides in European football.
The Gunners may have lost out on Gonzalo Higuain, who looks to be on his way to Napoli, though now, the focus is very much on a man no-one, perhaps not even himself, would even be thinking of a move to Arsenal, even from as recently as the end of the season. But somehow, Luis Suarez has become Arsenal's prime target this summer. And at last, we are prepared to spend big.
My initial reaction to hearing these rumours was why on earth someone like Arsene Wenger would want a player like Suarez? While he would undeniably bring goals, skills and passion, he would also bring with him an unwelcome source of controversy. Arsenal players in the past (for example, Thomas Vermaelen) have spoken about his conniving tactics (winning penalties etc.). His temperament's flaws were all too clear for us to see last season, and do we want that at Arsenal?
My response to that would be that there would be few better places to go than Arsenal - if Suarez was ever to tone down his antics. It was Wenger, after all, who had awful disciplinary problems in the first decade of his Arsenal career (note: we haven't won a trophy for nearly a decade, either) but the usually-expected flurry of cautions has died down over the years. He also was the man to tame and yet get the best out of fiery characters such as Robin Van Persie and Patrick Vieira - apart from the bi-annual meetings with Roy Keane, of course.
My second thought would be - does it matter? Arsenal are not selling anyone important this year (hooray), so it would make logical sense to believe that 4th is the bare minimum of their capabilities. A lethal striker in the form of Suarez - should significantly boost the chances of a trophy finally coming to the Emirates. Personally, I don't think he's worth more than £40m, in fact he's more like £30m. But if that means we pay an extra £10m or so to deal with all the shenanigans he gets involved in during his time as a Gunner, in return for goals galore and trophies, so be it. So what if our 'reputation' is at stake? If the team's doing well, it won't make a blind bit of difference.
So, let's get this straight: say what you like about him; Luis Suarez is one of the best strikers on the planet. Okay, he's not one to stay away from the back (or front) pages, but as far as football alone is concerned, we couldn't ask to be rumoured with anyone much better. As for reports that he wants to join, if Higuain has taught us anything, it's that we shouldn't get our hopes up just yet, but we can dream, nonetheless.
Go get him, Arsene.
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