Arsenal moved to the second spot in the Premier League with a stunning 5-1 win over West Ham in the weekend and Alexis Sanchez stole the show. With the club’s natural centre-forwards Olivier Giroud, Lucas Perez and Danny Welbeck struggling with injury problems, Arsene Wenger has used Alexis Sanchez mostly as the number nine this season and the Chilean international has been excellent spearheading the Gunners’ attack.
Sanchez has 11 goals to his name this season in the Premier League from 14 games but Arsene Wenger might be looking for a new number nine in January to add more firepower to his side. The Daily Star claims that Wenger is ready to make an offer for AC Milan forward Carlos Bacca in January as he is wary of the fact the lack of genuine striker can damage his side’s title hopes.
Well, history suggests that Arsenal usually get to experience a collapse in the second half of the season. Throughout the first half, they remain one of the frontrunners for the title but the Gunners bottle it after the New Year. Season after season, injuries have made their job even harder but you cannot keep giving the same excuse again and again.
Even though Giroud was mostly fit in the second half of last season, he had a pretty long goal-drought which had an impact on Arsenal’s brilliant run.
Wenger is yet to extend his Arsenal contract and this is the final year at the Emirates as of now. A legendary manager like him deserves one last Premier League before he signs off from Arsenal and therefore, it is understandable that he will be doing everything in his powers to win the title this season.
Bacca is a proven forward and has achieved a lot of success in his career mostly thanks to his sheer determination. He is now plying his trade in Italy with AC Milan and has scored 6 goals from 13 Serie A appearances. The Colombian international, however, had a feud with Milan boss Vincenzo Montella and is likely to depart San Siro in January.
Milan reportedly want £20m for the Colombian hitman which might seem a bit high for a player who is 30 now. However, Bacca is a late bloomer and is more or less an injury free player. Remember the impact of Robin van Persie at Manchester United after his move from Arsenal? Bacca could write a similar success story at Arsenal if the North Londoners break the bank for him and can bring the first Premier League to the club since 2004. This will be a no-brainer from Wenger.
