Rumours have reached a fever pitch over the last two days with several rather reputable news outlets claiming ‘sources’ from within Arsenal have confirmed the club’s interest in Leicester City‘s Jamie Vardy. A tweet on Friday from Stuart James of the Guardian and Observer claimed the North London club had triggered the striker’s release clause.
Understand that Arsenal have triggered the release clause in Jamie Vardy’s contract. Leicester still determined to keep hold of him.
— Stuart James (@StuartJamesGNM) June 3, 2016
And then on Saturday, ESPN FC claimed a source has confirmed that Vardy is to undergo a medical with Arsenal on Sunday.
Jamie Vardy is due to undergo a medical with Arsenal on Sunday, a source has told ESPN FC. https://t.co/PXWko5yH1Upic.twitter.com/CeHi1Lxrzx
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 4, 2016
The Arsenal supporters at Last Word On Sports had much to discuss regarding the rumours. Here are our initial thoughts at the prospect of having Jamie Vardy join the club:
“I would say that I’m ‘hesitantly optimistic’. Vardy’s tendency to score has the potential to push Arsenal towards more offence and, more importantly, could finally help unlock Özil’s true potential as an assist-maker. He is 29, which is a bit older, but he’s more versatile than Olivier Giroud and could act as a stopgap until we find another world class striker. Not to mention that the rumoured fee of £20 million for an experienced English striker is relatively low-risk.”
“Jamie Vardy signing for Arsenal is just the type of panic buy that the club will use to ignite its fan base. Yes, Vardy is a Premier League goalscorer coming from a title-winning side, but does he fit in well with the rest of the team? I don’t think so. When I look at him, he was the final piece to Leicester’s intricate counter-attacking puzzle. Arsenal don’t play the same counter-attacking style, so Vardy will probably not offer anything more than what the club has had with Olivier Giroud and the frequently injured Danny Welbeck. There’s also the fact that he isn’t proven. His current track record suggests that last season was more of a fluke compared to the rest of his career. Arsenal cannot count on him repeating that season again, especially since he is pushing 30.”
“Jamie Vardy’s 2015-16 campaign with Leicester, while brilliant, would not be replicated at Arsenal for several reasons. He certainly benefited from his team having been knocked out of domestic cup competition early on as well as not having to play the gruelling Champions League schedule. With the exception of a small spell when he was sidelined in January, he enjoyed very good health for the Foxes. Furthermore, while he is no slouch with the ball at his feet, his game is more suited to Leicester’s counter-attacking style, which took advantage of his pace and tenacity, as opposed to the possession game Arsene Wenger fancies for Arsenal. I believe he’s a notch ahead of Olivier Giroud, and the opportunity to see Mesut Özil feeding him through-balls is way too good to pass up. My only worry is that many fans would have such lofty expectations, perhaps unfairly.”
“Whilst Arsenal fans may feel that having been linked with Karim Benzema, Gonzalo Higuain, Luis Suárez and Alvaro Morata in recent summer, Jamie Vardy is a bit of a let-down, I have few doubts that he will prove to be an excellent signing. At 29 he still has several years of top-level football in him, and if the reported figure of £20m turns out to be true then it seems as though Arsène Wenger has secured something of a bargain.
Vardy proved last season that he is a brilliant all-round striker, and it is evident that he offers Arsenal something that Olivier Giroud doesn’t. His direct running, pace on the counter-attack and high defensive work-rate means that he is a completely different figurehead for the Arsenal attack, and it is also worth considering that Giroud will be invigorated by Vardy’s arrival. In an interview broadcast by Sky Sports News on Sunday morning, the France international said he hoped the pair could complement each other, and despite the fact that Arsenal are likely to stick with a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation, the arrival of a proven goalscorer to compete alongside him will doubtless cause Giroud to up his game.
Overall, it seems as though Vardy could be a fantastic value signing for Arsenal; if a centre-back is added as well, then this could prove to be a wonderful transfer window for Wenger.”
“I admire Vardy’s natural instinct and relentless attitude, coupled with his high intensity and pressing game. Balance those traits with his directness, ability to retain the ball in enclosed spaces and his work off the ball, Jamie Vardy will a wise addition to Arsenal’s striker options and a suitable alternative to Danny Welbeck and Oliver Giroud. Many question his age but given his impressive fitness and stamina levels, I doubt being 29 years old will trouble him. Nevertheless, there is some concerns about his personality after he racially abused an Asian in a casino which personally sits unwell with me. A club that champions work with ethnic minorities in the local community will have to answer those concerns if Vardy does join Arsenal.”
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