Just what is going on at Arsenal? The ultimate football hipster, Arsene Wenger, has shaved the bushy beard off and started listening to Justin Bieber and One Direction. Okay, I’m speaking metaphorically, but his transfer policy has gone from hipster to mainstream. The days of little known European teenagers flooding into North London (and back out again) in their droves are seemingly long gone. Here we have a Wenger prepared to go out and buy top class talent in order to fire the Gunners back up to the top of the Premier League.
Could this be Wenger going out in a blaze of glory? He’s now signed Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Petr Cech in what could be seen as one last attempt to secure a parting league title for the club. A team of superstars is under construction at the Emirates, rather harking back to the Highbury days. Big names are coming, and they may not stop with Cech.
Recent links with Barcelona’s serial winner (Pedro), have created a buzz of excitement in and around the club. The World Cup winner has been relegated to the bench as a result of Barca’s ludicrously talented front three, but he is exactly the type of player Arsenal need.
A product of La Masia, Pedro has won all there is to win in the game and has been part of the Barca revolution and the imperial Spanish international side. He can play across the front three and has a shed load of top class experience.
The arrival of Luis Suarez in Spain has frozen Pedro out somewhat, with a role coming off the bench making up the majority of his appearances last season. Still, he scored 11 goals and chipped in with nine assists. His versatility across the front line is reminiscent of Arsenal’s last signing from Barcelona, Sanchez.
Now, Pedro is not the irrepressible presence of the buzzing Chilean, but he has partnered him in a victorious Champions League final. With doubts over Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud’s ability to lead the front line, Pedro would be a welcome addition. His ability to finish with either foot would work wonders with the likes of Santi Carzola, Sanchez and Ozil playing behind him. Predator Pedro? Maybe.
Pedro’s finishing ability isn’t the only attribute that would help him easily slot in at the Emirates. The fact he can play on either flank represents a possible natural wide option for the Gunners, with the prospect of dragging full backs up and down the country out of position enough to excite Gunners fans. Current wide men Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have struggled with injuries, and Aaron Ramsey is not a natural fit on the right.
His ability to perform on the big stage may be the most tempting factor for Arsene Wenger. If he is to open his chequebook for the Barcelona star, he would be buying a man made for the big occasions. This Arsenal team are often criticised for not possessing the mentality to perform in the big games and are slammed for a lack of natural leaders. Pedro would change that. He is a man who is used to winning. Barca fans remember his goals in the European Super Cup, and his opener in the Champions League final against Manchester United fondly.
Pedro became the first Barcelona player to score across all six club competitions in a single season. Predator Pedro performs. He is a man so comfortable on the big stage, that certain sections of the club’s support labelled him ‘The King of Finals’ How’s that for a winning mentality? Wenger would not only be addressing a tactical problem with the potential Pedro signing, but he would be introducing a steely determination to win into the Arsenal dressing room.
We saw what Sanchez could do last time out, but at times he was carrying the Gunners. The addition of his old partner in crime could have a similar impact on the North London side, and with both former Barca boys in the team, the sky would be the limit for Arsenal once more.
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