Arsenal forward Yaya Sanogo netted four goals in a pre-season friendly at the Emirates last week, with plenty of punters quick to sing the praises of the young French striker.
But if Arsenal want to seriously challenge the league in season 2014/15, Sanogo isn’t the man they should hang hopes on.
While Sanogo has been given few chances to showcase his talents in the league, from what we’ve seen thus far, the striker can’t cut it with the best the competition has to offer.
At the end of last season I wrote why Arsenal failed to end their premiership drought. Now, just eight days out from the new campaign, the side is yet to acquire an out-and-out striker to lead the line with fellow frontman, Olivier Giroud.
While young-gun Joel Campbell has returned from his loan spell at Olympiakos to train with the Gunners over the summer, Arsene Wenger has again hinted at plans to ship the Costa Rican abroad.
The signing of Alexis Sanchez is a huge coup for the Gunners, but the boss has also indicated he would hesitate to employ the Chilean as a genuine number 9.
With the ex-Barcelona winger set to fight it out with Theo Walcott for a berth on the right flank, perhaps the pacey Englishman could make the transition to centre forward – a move which Wenger has toyed with.
As the Londoners have among the most formidable midfield stocks in European football, Lukas Podolski could also be used in a striker’s role – a job he has often performed in the German national side.
I’m sure Wenger has mulled over the many possible and probable outcomes, but one thing remains certain: Arsenal need more fire power if they want to be crowned champions this season.
What do you say Roarers, who should Arsenal employ as their main man upfront?
Alexander Mitchell
Roar Pro
The rumours on Shaqiri have quietened down a bit. I'm not sure if Rodgers is still interested.
DJW
Guest
3 of Sanogo 4 goals were tap ins against Benfica, so can't take to much out of that.
magila cutty
Guest
I've never understood why no-one has made a play to lure Stefan Kiesling away from Never kusen. His numbers are not only good but consistent over time and i would have thought he'd be sought after. Also is Shakiri staying at Bayern or ,as rumoured, seeking playing time elsewhere. Liverpool would be a good fit.
Pennyman
Guest
Where do u get the idea Campbell will be shipped out on loan again? He just held a preser re: community shield saying he may not bring in anymore players as one Joel Campbell has returned and a few other signings have been made with only one player leaving thus far in dijoure although it's seeming more and more likely the verminator will be going so here's hoping arsene is keeping his cards close to his chest and brings in another cb and a dcm (in the preser he also stated Wilshire is now fit and he has enough box to box mids) so who knows..
Colly
Roar Pro
The pundits praising Sanogo obviously didn't see him play 2 weeks earlier against Boreham Wood FC - by quirk of fate I was at both games (even though I'm not an Arsenal fan), and against the non-leaguers, Sanogo had an absolute shocker. Could hardly control the ball, and when he did, often fluffed his shot or failed to hit the target. Taken off at half time, he looked hardly above non-league quality. Obviously against Benfica it ended differently, but for the first 25 minutes he again looked like he couldn't hit the side of a barn. Of course, he then went on to joyously score four. You can praise his positioning (someone's got to be there to put it in) but the 4 were pretty much all tap-ins, one of which he fell over backwards while scoring. As much as it was great to see, I wouldn't be putting too much on Sanogo to be creating his own goals against the likes of Chelsea and Man City.
dsf
Guest
I dont think arsenal will go in for a striker this english summer. CB and CDM are the main focus with vermualen leaving. Sanogo would be my pick over giroud and im sure wenger has bought alexis to allow him or theo to play striker. Id like to see arsenal play 2 strikers with alexis/theo and sanogo.