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It is not uncommon for endless rumours to fly around this time of year, especially when it comes to Arsene Wenger and his Arsenal side. Wenger is a man that has admitted to “not being a fan” of the winter January transfer window and this is reflected in the miniscule business that takes place in the new year at the Emirates. The long-staying French manager has always had the train of thought of someone that would prefer to end everything business related by kick off in August, he may have a point. Nevertheless it is something that is unlikely to change in the near future.
A rumour that has not dissipated in the last few days surrounds Ukraine international Andriy Yarmolenko. The Dynamo Kyiv attacker has been linked with a move to the Premier League for at least the last two seasons, many expected him to be an Everton player by now but for one reason or another he remains at the Ukrainian club. A fee of around £23 million for the skilful forward has been bandied around in the press.
This year signals Yarmolenko’s tenth season at the Ukrainian giants, the 26-year-old may now feel it is time to try and make it in the most illustrious league in world football. He has 76 goals in 187 appearances for his club which is an impressive return for a wide attacker. The one question mark will be if he can do it in a much more competitive league – that is bound to be a criticism that will exist until he takes the step-up.
Yarmolenko has continued to impressive throughout his career. This season he has managed 13 goals in 22 games- including two in the UEFA Champions League. Both came away from home in the group stage at Maccabi Tel-Aviv and FC Porto, which helped secure their place in this season’s knockout stages.
Where would he fit in?
The 6’2″ forward can play anywhere along the front-line and he has the attributes to make an effective target man as well as the talent to play behind the striker. His best position is on the right of a front three, he has impressed for the Ukraine national team in tandem with Yevhen Konoplyanka. The pair have been on the radar of the Premier League for a while and it was just a matter of time before a top tier side took a gamble on their talent.
Arsenal have a wealth of attacking options but you could argue that the Ukrainian offers them something they do not have in the wide areas, that is strength. Wenger tends to go for tricky players that are slight in stature, that is the complete opposite of Yarmolenko who would give Wenger an alternative to the pace of the Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
It is not only in the wide areas where he could compete for a starting place. Olivier Giroud continues to improve under Wenger, but there is still an argument that he still has not got much competition for his place. Walcott has been used sparingly through the middle. The ongoing injury problems of Danny Welbeck will be a concern, Wenger has been left little alternative but to plump for the French target man nine times out of ten due to a lack of options.
There have been occasions this season when Arsenal have needed a game changer from the bench. Recently they have been down to the bare bones – this has seen them have just a Plan A which can sometimes fall short, especially away from home against a side with a defensive mindset.
His arrival?
This deal is yet to be confirmed by Arsenal but as we know they never confirm anything until everything is signed, sealed and delivered. His arrival would be most likely in the summer and it would not be a surprise to see a shake up within Wenger’s squad whether or not they win the league.
Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Flamini, Tomas Rosicky and Mathieu Debuchy are all likely to be part of an exodus from the Emirates. New faces would rejuvenate the current crop and give genuine competition for places and help the club improve – something they arguably have not done for a while. Yes, Arsenal have been more consistent than most this season but that does not necessarily mean they have improved.
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