Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Signing Gervinho

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he will be active in the transfer market and will try to add some new players in this summer transfer window in order to improve the quality of the squad. The Gunners have not won a single trophy for the last six years and have come under immense criticism this season. Wenger's reluctance to spend money in the inflated transfer market has also frustrated many supporters and the Arsenal manager is expected to have sufficient transfer budget to purchase quality players in the summer.

With many clubs looking to add some players to their squad, Wenger will hope that he can finalize some deals early in the summer. It is no surprise that Arsenal are linked with a number of players in the transfer market. With Nicklas Bendtner desiring to leave the club and Vela's uncertain future at Arsenal, the Gunners could be in the market for a striker which is probably why there have been wesites linking Arsenal with a move to sign strikers like Karim Benzema and Radamel Falcao.

Another player who has been linked with a move to the Emirates is Lille's Gervinho, who can play as a winger or a striker. He has had an excellent season for Lille helping them win the league this season and has scored a total of 25 goals in 54 league appearances for the French team. He also represented the Ivory Coast National team in the World Cup and was one of the better performers for the team.

Gervinho has said that he will decide in the next week where his future lies and it has been reported that Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle are tracking the forward. This article is about what are the advantages and disadvantages if Arsenal are planning to sign him.

Advantages

There is a good chance that Gervinho could leave the club and look for new pastures and though he will not exactly come at a bargain, Arsenal will certainly be able to afford him if he is available at the £10 million quoted by the Daily Mail. The Ivory Coast International can play on the wings or in the centre which provides versatility for the Gunners.

He has a lot of pace and his direct running at defenders could cause problems for defenders. Also, he is a strong player and is likely to cope with the physicality of the Premier League. He is also quite good in finishing as his record suggests and with players like Gervinho and Walcott in the same team, the Gunners can counter-attack at pace.

At the age of 24, he is entering into his peak years of his career and should he continue his development, he will be an excellent player in the future. Gervinho is a player who can last the 90 minutes playing at a good tempo and his energetic running could help the Gunners create more opportunities towards the end of the game.

Disadvantages

Gervinho is player who can still improve on a few aspects and crossing is certainly not his forte. Also, though he can play on either wing, he has a tendency to come inside which reduces width and is exaclty what the current Arsenal wingers also do. It is not certain if the Ivory Coast International can be as prolific from the wings at Arsenal because the Gunners play rather narrowly.

Also, Gervinho will be representing his country in the African Cup of Nations which could mean he could a number of games in January and if he is fatigued or injured, it could hamper him for the rest of the season. He will be behind the likes of Nasri and Walcott, who will be first choice wingers if Gervinho is signed and even Arshavin could be preferred over Gervinho.

If that is the case, he is certain to be frustrated due to his lack of opportunities (though his team mate Emmanuel Eboue can comfort him!). Also with Andrei Arshavin not at his best and the future of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas not certain, it is important that Wenger signs a quality forward who can persuade the duo to stay.

If Bendtner and Vela, who has hardly played for the Gunners this season, leave the club, then Arsenal will only have Robin van Persie and Marouane Chamakh as the only strikers in the squad. Though Gervinho can play in the centre, he is more suited to the wings and if van Persie is injured, it will again be a problem for the Gunners.

Hence, it is better for the Gunners to look for a player who is a striker who can play on the wings instead of the other way around. Also with Ryo Miyaichi impressing for Feyenoord and Andrei Arshavin likely to stay after his recent comments, it is better for the Gunners to look at a quality striker, who can play on the wings if required.

If interested, read Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Pros and Cons of signing Falcao, Ricky Alvarez and Scott Parker