Arsenal

Why Arsenal would be quite smart to grab the chance to sign this 24-year-old La Liga star in January deal

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Why Arsenal should grab the opportunity to sign Maxi Gomez in January

According to The Mirror (h/t The Sun), Arsenal have been handed a massive boost in their pursuit of Uruguayan striker Maxi Gomez ahead of the January window. 

As per the report, Valencia are prepared to sell the 24-year-old for a fraction of his mammoth £125million release clause to balance the books during the mid-season trading period. That could potentially open the door for Mikel Arteta’s side to line him up on a cut-price deal next month.

Gomez initially moved to Spain with Celta Vigo in 2017 after establishing himself at Defensor Sporting in his native Uruguay. The towering hitman went on to bag 30 goals in 75 appearances for the club across two seasons before switching boats to join Valencia in 2019. He has since netted 14 times in 53 appearances for Los Che.

Meanwhile, Arsenal continued their dismal start to the campaign with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Everton on Saturday. That was their 8th defeat in 14 league games this season so far, marking the club’s worst-ever start to a top-flight campaign since 1974.

The Gunners currently find themselves languishing at place 15th in the standings with just 14 points accumulated, leaving them just 4 points above the relegation zone. 

VALENCIA, SPAIN – JULY 07: Maxi Gomez of Valencia CF looks the action during the Liga match between Valencia CF and Real Valladolid CF at Estadio Mestalla on July 07, 2020, in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

With plenty of crunch fixtures set to follow over the festive period, Arsenal will need to start putting some points on the board in the coming months to avoid getting dragged into an ignominious relegation battle.

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Having scored just 12 goals in the Premier League so far, it goes without saying that Mikel Arteta’s side are crying out for some much-needed transfer spark in January to get their campaign back on track.

Putting things into context, Maxi Gomez ticks plenty of boxes to come through the door at the Emirates as a marquee addition to Arsenal’s misfiring forward line. The Uruguayan has bagged an impressive 44 goals and 14 assists in 116 career appearances in the La Liga. 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s lacklustre form (The Gabonese star has scored just thrice in 13 league appearances so far) has evoked plenty of criticism from the fans. With Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe and Willian also failing to hit top gear, lack of creativity and firepower in the final third has been one of the major talking points from the Gunners’ nightmarish start to the campaign. 

Celta Vigo’s Uruguayan forward Maxi Gomez (BOTTOM) celebrates his goal with teammate Spanish forward Iago Aspas during the Spanish league football match between RC Celta de Vigo and FC Barcelona at the Balaidos stadium in Vigo on May 4, 2019. (Getty Images)

Arsenal clearly need to start scoring more goals to climb up the table and a potential deal for Gomez would hand a timely boost to Arteta’s plans. Having hit double figures in the goals column in each of his past three seasons in Spain, the Uruguayan fits the profile of a striker who would offer Aubemeyang and Lacazette some much-needed cover and competition in North London. 

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Verdict

Suffice to say, Gomez’s towering frame coupled with his goalscoring ability would certainly improve Arsenal’s attack.

At 24, the Uruguayan international still potentially has his best years ahead of him, meaning that the Gunners have every reason to look at him as a long-term option. Having said that, Arsenal completing a cut-price deal for the Valencia star next month would be an excellent bit of business.

Sayan Chatterjee

A Premier League enthusiast and an avid follower of the beautiful game.

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