Arsenal Transfers: Could Lyon Striker Bafetimbi Gomis Be Late Option?

by Edward Owen

calling a halt to the Gunners' attempt to sign the Senegalese striker on loan. The whole thing leaves the manager at something of a loss - with only Olivier Giroud available as an out-and-out first team frontman, the cupboard looks bare for Arsenal and in desperate need of restocking. But who should they pursue? For my money, they could do a lot worse than long-term Newcastle target Bafetimbi Gomis. According to France Football's Matt Spiro, Wenger is a long-term admirer of the bullish Lyon striker, but has never quite turned his thoughts into actions. Well, there's no time like the present, and faced with a real striking shortage, the manager might be forced to play his hand and snap up the French international. And why not? Gomis is clearly an excellent performer - though never prolific, he always fetches his side 10-20 goals a season so in terms of sheer end-product, he would certainly be a worthwhile investment. Yet he brings so much more than that - often labelled the 'mini Drogba,' the 28-year-old takes after his illustrious namesake in physicality as well as playing style, battering down defences and playing in teammates to score. Frankly, this is what Arsenal need right now - as Bill Shankly once said, a football team is like a piano - you need eight men to carry it, and three men to play the thing. What Arsenal have at the moment are far too many players, and not enough lifters. With this in mind, what Gomis would represent is a plan B for Arsenal that Giroud simply doesn't, and his presence in the line-up would mean that the Gunners would very rarely be physically cowed. So really, Wenger should crack upon his much-vaunted checkbook and give Lyon a call. After all, it's not as if he isn't for sale - the main stumbling block Lyon have experienced during this saga is that no club has stumped up enough in wages to seriously turn his head. If Ivan Gazidis is correct, this won't be a problem for Arsenal. So really Arsene, what are you waiting for?

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Contributor

Durham University graduate and qualified sports journalist. Very good at sitting down and watching things. Can multi-task this with playing computer games. Football Manager addict who has taken Shrewsbury Town to the summit of the Premier League. You can follow me at @Ed_OwenUK, if you like ramblings about Newcastle United and A Place in the Sun. If you don't, I don't know what I can do for you.