Every transfer season a similar story plays out. The top talent in Ligue 1 is linked to Arsenal because Arsene Wenger is French and he always has his eye on his homeland.
Sometimes these stories play out to be true. Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny are more recent examples of players who Wenger brought to London from Ligue 1. Most of the time the stories just feed an endless loop of speculation.
With the latest injury to Danny Welbeck, it would make plenty of sense for Arsene Wenger to bring in another forward this summer. There has been plenty of speculation regarding a move for Alvaro Morata making the rounds.
While there are those who feel Morata could be the answer to Arsenal’s striker concerns, there are just as many who feel he has not proven he can flourish as “the man”. With the high dollar figures being associated with a Morata transfer, Wenger should turn his attention to his homeland for a cheaper option before he loses out to one of his rivals.
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Michy Batshuayi has been the focal point of the Marseille attack this season. With 22 goals in all competitions, including 17 in Ligue 1. His performances have caught the eye of teams across Europe including Arsenal’s London rivals Tottenham according to ESPNFC.
What makes the 22-year-old Belgian international a coveted asset is his ability to finish. According to Ligue1.com, Batshuayi placed 56 of his 122 shots on frame. This ability to place shots on target will fit in perfectly with Mesut Ozil’s pinpoint service.
Besides being an excellent finisher, Batshuayi also has excellent dribbling skills. He is comfortable with the ball on either foot aiding him in his ability to find the back of the net or take on defenders.
His technical ability allows him to create his own opportunities with the ball at his feet. Using those abilities to create chances for his teammates is a part of his game that is still growing. As his offensive skills become more polished, he has the opportunity to be a well-rounded attacker.
Listed at just under 6 foot tall, Batshuayi is not the ideal size to be a target for high balls into the box. He does use his body well to get into favorable positions against defenders and he has the quickness to avoid those who try to physically take him out of his game.
Batshuayi is not yet a finished product, and that will be disappointing to Arsenal fans who are looking for that top choice striker to come in and immediately own the attacking zone. Despite still having the ability to grow his game, Batshuayi is an immediate contributor. He can be deployed with or in place of Giroud allowing Arsenal more options from a formation and personnel perspective.
Having Giroud would take some of the pressure off of Batshuayi as he would not have to carry the goal scoring load on his own. In turn, Batshuayi would also lighten Giroud’s load throughout the season and give Arsenal a bona fide scoring threat when the big Frenchman is left on the bench.
Naysayers will lump Batshuayi in with Morata from a lacks experience standpoint. This may be true on the international stage, but the Belgian has carried the offensive load at Standard Leige and at Marseille. In comparison, Batshuayi may be able to be had for a smaller transfer fee than Morata.
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Around the Stade Velodrome, Batshuayi draws comparison to former Marseille star Didier Drogba in his style of play and abilities. Arsenal fans should hope that history does not repeat itself in having to watch another Marseille star light up the league for another London-based club.