Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Breaking Down Impact of Gonzalo Higuain for Gunners

One of the oldest transfer rumours of this summer appears very close to coming true, as Arsenal and Gonzalo Higuain have reportedly reached an agreement that would bring the Real Madrid striker to North London. 

And he's exactly what the Gunners need. 

From John Cross of the Mirror:

"

Gonzalo Higuain has agreed to come to Arsenal as the club-record £22million deal nears conclusion.

Real Madrid striker Higuain and his agent father Jorge are believed to have agreed personal terms in excess of £130,000-a-week as Arsenal prepare to smash their transfer record and wage structure.

The Spanish giants circulated Higuain's name for transfer last month and gave him the green light to negotiate a move away from Real Madrid this summer.

Higuain is keen to move to the Emirates after two rounds of talks with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger who hopes to wrap up the formalities before the club's Far East tour in three weeks' time.

"

While Olivier Giroud improved throughout the course of the year and Lukas Podolski filled in admirably when called upon to play centrally, it became clear this season that the Gunners needed a true No. 9 to replace Robin van Persie, who departed for Manchester United last summer.

Higuain has always been a reliable scorer for Real Madrid, and though he only started 29 total games for Los Blancos this season, splitting time with Karim Benzema, he still managed to score 19 goals on the year.

Higuain is a true poacher, capable of finishing in virtually every manner. He can hold up play for the midfield or drop back and act as a facilitator for his teammates, as evidenced by his 17 assists for Real Madrid over the past two years.  

He would step in as Arsenal's primary striker from day one, allowing Giroud to be used as a reinforcement or as a tactical starter atop the formation in certain matchups.

It would also signal an end to Theo Walcott's desires to play centrally, which is probably for the best since he was an absolute nightmare for defenders on the right wing last season. 

It's really fun to imagine Higuain leading a forward line with Walcott to the right, Podolski or Santi Cazorla on the left and Cazorla or Jack Wilshere slotting in behind Higuain.

Then again, Podolski's work rate on the left wasn't overly impressive this season. And with Walcott loving to cut in centrally from the right and looking to score goals, adding a more technical player on the left like Cazorla may be preferable to Podolski, who, like Walcott, looks to find his shot.

But, however Arsenal lines up next season, landing Higuain will mean the Gunners again have a pure goal-scorer. While holding midfielder will remain a major need, and other reinforcements may be needed if players are sold, the first domino in Arsenal's rumoured summer of spending will have finally fallen. 

And it's a domino that should find the back of the net quite often in the Premier League.