Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Why Signing Luis Suarez Would Be a Mistake

The London Evening Standard newspaper reported on Wednesday morning that Liverpool forward Luis Suarez would prefer a move to Real Madrid than a switch to Arsenal this summer.

Suarez, who gave a controversial interview to the Guardian and Telegraph on Tuesday, has confirmed his desire to leave Anfield this summer and has expressed frustration at the club's unwillingness to allow him a move—which he believes breaches a promise made to him last summer.

Liverpool, though, have reiterated their desire to retain Suarez, with manager Brendan Rodgers telling reporters: "We have no intention of selling one of the top players in the world to one of our rivals.

"The message is very clear: Luis Suarez is very much a Liverpool player," reported the Telegraph.

While there has been no indication yet as to whether Arsenal will increase their £40,000,001 bid submitted for Suarez last week, the Gunners will no doubt have taken encouragement from Suarez's comments on Tuesday.

However, if they can keep him away from the clutches of Real Madrid, is Suarez really the player that Arsenal need to spearhead their challenge in the coming season?

Much has been made of the baggage that Suarez carries with him and, when discussing transfers and potential fees, there is no doubt that clubs will take his disciplinary record into account.

With that said, though, he remains a fantastic player, who was the second-highest scorer in the Premier League last campaign in spite of his late season suspension. There is no doubting his pedigree.

As good as he may be, is he the player that Arsenal really need to spend the bulk of their transfer budget on this summer? That is highly debatable.

Arsenal do need a big name if they are to really convince fans that they can be a threat this season. Recent years have seen too many average players arrive at the Emirates Stadium, with Arsenal slipping from title challengers to battling to retain their place in the top four.

It cannot be denied that Suarez is a big name. However, he has his drawbacks as a footballer also.

In many ways, he is the antithesis of a typical Arsenal player. The Gunners have often been accused of being too selfless and reluctant to shoot in front of goal—something Suarez would undoubtedly change.

However, the Uruguayan is perhaps a step too far. No Premier League player had more shots (143) or attempted to take on more opponents (255) than Suarez last season. However, his success rates were far from impressive according to Squawka.

What is clear is that he can create chances by himself out of nothing. But, as has been questioned at Liverpool late last season, is it to the detriment of the team's performance as a whole?

Arsenal's best football comes when the team play fast, dynamic attacking football, with sharp passing interchanges between their attacking players. Suarez's selfishness is completely at odds with the system.

Compare the Uruguayan with Gonzalo Higuain, who was linked earlier this summer, and the differences are clear.

The now Napoli player scored with a third of his shots in La Liga last campaign (16 goals from 48 shots) and got 65 percent of his attempts on target according to Squawka—compared to Suarez's 54 percent.

He may not create anywhere near as many chances as Suarez, but what Arsenal need is a finisher. The North London club created more chances than either Chelsea or Manchester United last season—both of whom scored more league goals.

If converting chances is the target, Suarez is not the man for the job.

Arsenal's pursuit of a big name is understandable, and they will no doubt have been disappointed to miss out on Higuain. In Suarez, though, they are looking in the wrong direction.

The team have bigger issues in midfield and defence that could be dealt with by using the money that would appear to have been offered for the Liverpool man, while he does not appear the ideal attacking option.

He would no doubt score goals in North London, but as a strategy to return the Gunners to a title-challenging position, it may be a big mistake.