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Is Arsenal’s Vardy approach a last gasp ahead of Wenger’s final year?
A disheartened set of fans were to be seen around North London as the Gunners lost out to budget-stricken Leicester City, and possibly missed out on the easiest run-in for a title with the flux of managerial pedigree set to reinvigorate the Premier League next season.
Doubts have been cast upon the general at the helm, but the pivotal sacking from the board seems further away from Wenger as his past successes keep him barely afloat.
The divide between Arsenal fans has been for all to see – fighting, banners and a severe lack of harmony seemed to advocate Wengers failure in keeping the entirety of the faithful happy.
Arsenal seemingly have plenty of cash to spend. The completion of their wonderful new stadium has sprung the football club into the modern era and into the elite, but left the success and credibility of ‘the Invincibles’ and fans full faith in Wenger behind.
This transfer window has started brightly for the Gunners, for Granit Xhaka is a fantastic addition to any team’s ranks. On this, congratulations must be given to the long-serving Frenchman.
The new man to enter City’s ranks; Ilkay Gundogan, is a shrewd addition, but when comparing games played, tackles, interceptions, and chances created this season, he does not really even approach in Xhaka’s league.
The spine of Wenger’s team has been lacking since a certain Patrick Vieira left their ranks a decade ago. Francis Coquelin, Mathieu Flamini and co have all done well, but Xhaka is the new breed of quality defensive midfielders.
Screams for a striker; someone who can guarantee 20 goals a season, is something Arsenal fans have begged for. Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema are names that have been linked with a move to the Emirates in the past, but none have ever materialised. However, how about Jamie Vardy?
The England striker, 29, was due to choose whether to remain with the Foxes or join the Gunners before flying out to France for Euro 2016 on Monday.
However, keeping both clubs and the rest of us in an agonising wait, he boarded the flight with the rest of the England squad without informing Arsenal of his decision.
Vardy’s arrival would certainly give Wenger a very different sort of attacking option to Giroud and, if he wanted to change his formation for certain games, they should in theory be well suited to playing together.
Giroud is particularly adept at holding the ball up with his back to goal, whereas Vardy’s pace makes him most effective when he is running behind defences.
Wenger can no longer be under any illusions that with Manchester now gaining two of the world’s best managers, Chelsea bringing in Antonio Conte, and Liverpool having a full season under Jurgen Klopp alongside Spurs securing the future of Mauricio Pochettino, he is under threat. Wenger needs to perform, and fast.
Arsenal are believed to have offered in the region of £20 million for Vardy to trigger the release clause in his contract. If Wenger can see this deal through to the end, with maybe one or two more quality additions, Arsenal can definitely win the league in 2016/17, perhaps providing the Frenchman with a prime opportunity to call it a day at his much-loved Arsenal.
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