David Villa is Exactly What Arsenal Need (Video)

Arsenal earned a replay against Swansea in the FA Cup yesterday with another inconsistent performance. A result that could have been avoided had Arsenal had Villa.

Swansea's game-plan worked well for around an hour; they passed well, prevented Arsenal from creating many clear chances, hit the bar themselves, then bought Michu on to do what he does best. 1-0 Swansea.

This really turned Arsenal on though, suddenly the play was occurring around the Swans box and it looked like Arsenal would score – and they did, twice.

All well and good for the Gunners but Swansea came back during the pressure and made it 2-2. But that should never have happened...

At the point between Arsenal's first goal all the way up to before Swansea's second, the Swans were on the ropes. The whole game was on their goal's doorstep, Arsenal were creating in the box and forcing saves – it looked like they would lose by three or more goals. It was a big problem.

But not for Swansea, for Arsenal. They should have killed Swansea off. Sure the Welsh outfit's game plan worked well but not well enough; they lost their way and should have been punished, but Arsenal's strike-force were not capable.

Olivier Giroud blows hot and cold, but mainly sits at an average level; playing okay but needing someone else to provide the fireworks. Theo Walcott has still yet to fully convince as a goalscorer or a premium chance creator. Lukas Podolski is no doubt a great forward, perhaps he is not as effective on the left, or has yet to settle – bottom line Arsenal need another goalscorer. Arsenal need David Villa.

Villa has only played two full games for Barcelona this season, and not featured in many of importance. It's no secret he doesn't feel important in Catalonia and that his agent is in England. And it's no secret that Arsenal want him.

The team most like Barca and Spain in England are the Gunners, so Villa wouldn't have to drastically alter his game. A criticism of Villa (and most Barca forwards) is that perhaps he needs a supplier to produce his goals, but Arsenal have this in Santi Carzorla. Most importantly he can stick the ball in the net with ease.

The question is whether Arsenal can meet the expected asking price of 15million, however there is no question that he is the answer.

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Comments

[The Heff]

Villa is a big name signing, one that we have perhaps been crying out for and one who's experience the rest of the team can only benefit from being in the presence of, however for all the positives that Villa could potentially bring to Arsenal, how well he can adapt to our climate...how well will he play in the frosty winters and/or how well will he play in the wet autumns? This could eventually all prove trivial, after all football is football and it can surely be played the same regardless of rain, wind or snow...but then can it?

[Post or Worse]

I think when there is a player as good as Villa, the climate and other cultural factors make less of an impact. This isn't to say they don't affect players, but Spain isn't a huge leap to England. Spain does also have varied climates (nothing as consistent as our yearly 100days of rain)