Arsenal Transfer News: Michu and Dzeko Are a Poor Plan B for Gunners

Following widespread reports that Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has decided to stay at the club rather than force through a transfer to Arsenal, the Gunners have reportedly switched their attentions to two other Premier League forwards.

News broke on Wednesday that the Uruguayan had reversed his decision to leave Anfield, as reported by Ed Malyon in the Daily Mirror.

This change of attitude will have come as blow to boss Arsene Wenger, who has already had two bids rejected for the former Ajax man this summer.

According to Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail, the Frenchman will now target Swansea City's Michu or Manchester City's Edin Dzeko instead of Suarez.

On Arsenal's hunt for a new attacker, Mokbel states that:

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Wayne Rooney was a target earlier in the summer, while the club have completed extensive scouting reports on Swansea striker Michu and Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko.

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Wenger is well-known for doing his homework on potential new signings, and it's no surprise that he had contingency plans in place should his club-record move for Suarez fail to materialise.

But would Dzeko or Michu adequately fill the shirt which Wenger had reserved for Liverpool's star striker?

The answer, quite simply, is no.

Michu had a fine debut season in the Premier League, scoring 18 league goals in 35 appearances and helping the Swans lift the Capital One Cup at Wembley.

At a cost of just £2 million, the Spaniard was widely regarded as the signing of last summer's transfer window after tearing teams apart with his movement, technique and eye for goal.

But, which ever way you look at it, Michu is no Suarez.

The Uruguayan hit 23 goals in 33 league games last season, leaving him behind only Manchester United's Robin van Persie in the goalscoring charts.

He also showed his creativity by laying on 89 chances for his teammates, the fourth most of any player in the division and the best return of any striker.

Five of those chances were converted into goals, leaving Suarez with the eighth-most assists of any Premier League forward.

Michu, on the other hand, managed to create only 34 opportunities for his team, with just two resulting in goals.

And City striker Dzeko looks similarly unimpressive in comparison, with his 14 goals and three assists a noticeably poorer return than that of the Liverpool hit man.

Suarez, despite all of his faults, has proved himself to be a world-class player since moving to Merseyside in January 2011.

If Wenger had lured him to the Emirates, it would have been a huge sign of intent heading into a new campaign where potential title rivals United, Manchester City and Chelsea are busy getting accustomed to new managers.

Instead, the Gunners look like starting the new season with either the inconsistent Olivier Giroud up front or one of Dzeko or Michu, both of whom are cheaper, less influential replacements for Suarez.

After spending so much time and energy pursuing one of the best players in the world, it looks increasingly likely that Arsenal fans will be left unhappy with their transfer business yet again.

All stats courtesy of Squawka.com.