Daniel Sturridge has become the latest striker to be linked with a move to Arsenal and with his apparent rift with Klopp, this may be the best time to swoop in for the unsettled striker. He obviously has the quality and finishing ability to make it at Arsenal but his injury record is appalling. With Arsenal’s annual injury troubles, this could be a risky signing to make.
His injury record aside, Sturridge does have an incredible goal scoring record in the league, scoring 43 goals in 54 starts for Liverpool, this prolific goal scoring has been what Arsenal have missed since their last title win in 2004. Moreover, with his skills, pace and intelligent runs Sturridge brings a lot more in to the team.
Although Giroud has a reasonable goalscoring record, while also playing as a shield for our creative players, he does not have the threatening pace to run in behind. Ozil is a master of the assist, but his style of play needs players who can run in behind and provide constant movement – Giroud does not do this. With Sturridge ahead of the likes of Ozil, Wilshere, Cazorla, and Sanchez, Sturridge would get plenty of goals, and would also provide many chances for his teammates.
Recently Wenger has left his faith in Giroud now for four seasons as his main striker and it clearly is not delivering major success, as Giroud is not consistent enough throughout a season. Now having Giroud and Sturridge in the same team would provide the extra goals needed to push us up the table and really challenge for the title.
While Sturridge’s record is very impressive, he has been at Liverpool since January 2013 and has only played 64 league games (50 starts, 14 sub) in three and a half seasons. Considering that if he played every game for two seasons he would accumulate 76 appearances, so Sturridge overall hasn’t appeared in over half the possible games for Liverpool. It would be a risk to sign him considering these injuries worries and for the rumoured cost of £30 million and his high wages, it would be unlikely Wenger would risk that money on an injury prone player
If the rumours of a rift between Klopp and Sturridge are true, he may be available at a cheaper price. Klopp dropped Sturridge to the bench in both their games against Dortmund and the first-leg against Villarreal. The problem that lies between Klopp and Sturridge, is that Klopp believes that Sturridge does not play through injuries, but also that Klopp cannot risk another to the Liverpool striker, thus, his game time is reduced – something no player wants.
Sturridge has the quality and ability to fit in perfectly well as Arsenal’s main striker but his injury problems are definitely a concern. His wages would be high, and Liverpool would likely want more than £30 million. If Arsenal were to sign him though, with careful management of his fitness and game time, Sturridge could prove that the risk was worth the reward.
YouTube: Daniel Sturridge – Dancer – All Goals – Liverpool FC ᴴᴰ
