As we enter the busy summer window, where one transfer can determine the fate of a club, it appears the most likely true rumour yet for the Arsenal faithful has arrived. Sky Sports have been reportedly informed by their sources that an unnamed Premier League club has made a bid for Carlos Tevez, and that the club in question is not Liverpool, who have been linked with the player in recent days. With the Manchester clubs looking to be at a disadvantage because of their previous history with the Argentinian, and Chelsea more likely to pull off a deal for Radamel Falcao, Arsenal appear one of the front-runners for Tevez’s signature. But what would such an unexpected signing mean for the team?
Variation in attack– Arsenal are already known for their diverse attack, with Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck, Theo Walcott and Alexis Sánchez all occupying different roles when chosen to lead the line. Tevez is no different; the man affectionately called “Carlitos” possesses an ability to integrate the attack and midfield seamlessly, coupled with fantastic hold-up play, traits which he showcased well in the Champions League final. This, for Juventus, allows Álvaro Morata and Arturo Vidal to undertake their attacking roles to perfection, giving a great balance in the Juve team.
A similar situation can occur at the North London club – Tevez showcasing these talents in order to bring attacking players like Aaron Ramsey and Alexis Sánchez into the forefront of the attack. A signing such as Tevez, an Italian league champion, could result in an achievement of perfect harmony in the attacking side of the team; an element that is vital in challenging for trophies, because of the versatility that accompanies it. Such a varied strikeforce would give Arsenal many options going forward, and for a club infamous for its injury problems and how it had tackled opponents in the past, will be essential.
Needed experience– In the current Arsenal squad, only one player has a Premier League medal; Danny Welbeck, and that with the Englishman playing a bit-part role in comparison to his fellow attackers in that season. In all honesty, most of this current squad have never experienced a genuine season-long title battle, in a side which haven’t finished in the league’s top two for over a decade. A signing like Tevez, who has won league titles in Argentina, Brazil, England and Italy, as well as a Champions League medal, offers to fix this.
Being 31 years of age as well, he provides crucial experience, which teams like Chelsea needed when going for the league this year, in Didier Drogba, and what Manchester City tried to use to their advantage this year in Frank Lampard. A true winner in the squad supplies the motivation and model example for which the squad should base themselves off, further pushing towards a trophy win, and overall improvement.
A world class striker– Despite the valiant attempts of Olivier Giroud, who managed a strong 14 goals in this season’s league campaign (despite missing almost 3 months of action), Arsenal fans still clamour for a world-class player to lead the attack, since the days of when Robin van Persie was claiming a Golden Boot in the red and white of the Arsenal. They may have a point, Giroud had gone a lengthy number of games before the FA Cup final without scoring.
Consistency is most required when you’re a striker, and perhaps only a world-class player can deliver such a feat. Tevez has shown his consistency both in Italy and Europe this season, notching 7 goals in 13 games in the Champions League, while 20 strikes in 29 appearances in Italy’s top tier isn’t too bad either. Such form would be crucial when challenging for a first league title in over a decade. Tevez’s powerful and clinical finishing is one of the best in the world and may be the catalyst for a major trophy.
Altogether, the acquisition of Carlos Tevez would be one of the wisest the back-to-back FA Cup winners have made in recent times – perhaps even more than the signings of Mesut Özil and Alexis Sánchez, because the man with one of the most magnificent stories in world football possesses everything the current Arsenal side needs, a killer right foot and hold-up play that is essential if to play “the Arsenal way”, also offering experience and a trophy-winning mentality.
Tevez may just be the ultimate difference maker for a first title win in over a decade for the Gunners.
