I Know Arsenal Won't Buy Him But Still I Will Suggest...Ruud Van Nistelrooy

Continuing the series created by Deepak Israni, I've decided to offer up Ruud Van Nistelrooy as a solution to Arsenal's post-Adebayor woes.

Since the exit of Adebayor, we've seen strikers far and wide being linked to Arsenal; Chamakh, Pandev, and Huntelaar to name but a few. Some even dreaming up people like; Aguero, Forlan, and Trezuget as possible replacements in this summer of speculation.

With an already impressive attacking line-up, including the likes of; Robin van Persie, Andrey Arshavin, Eduardo Da Silva, Nicklas Bendtner, and Carlos Vela, one might say that we don't need to further our attacking line, but clearly Arsenal supporters are divided on this issue.

While I'm a big supporter of Nicklas Bendtner and the idea he will step up his game greatly next season, I'm also certain it would be way too much to ask him to fill Adebayor's spot seamlessly. He's still young and hasn't fully bloomed yet, after all.

Now, Ruud van Nistelrooy is a genius. No one who has seen him in his glory days will argue against that, no matter how much they hate Man United/Madrid. One of the best out-and-out strikers to grace the game in recent decades, he is certainly a star, albeit an aging one.

Ruud van Nistelrooy: Fact-File

• Age: 33
• Position: Striker
• Current Club: Real Madrid
• National Team: Dutch international (Retired—67caps, 45goals)
• Honours: PSV Eindhoven—Eredivisie (1999-2000, 2000-2001), Johan Cruijff-schaal (1999, 2000); Manchester United—Premier League (2002-2003), FA Cup (2003-2004), Football League Cup (2005-2006), FA Community Shield (2003); Real Madrid—La Liga (2006-2007, 2007-2008), Supercopa de España (2008)
• Personal Honours: Eredivisie Top Scorer (1998–1999, 1999–2000), Dutch Player of the Year (1999, 2000), Champions League Most Valuable Striker (2001-2002), Barclaycard Player of the Year (2002), Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year (2001-2002, 2002-2003), PFA Player of the Year (2002), Champions League Top Scorer (2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2004-2005), UEFA Club Forward of the Year (2002-2003), Premier League Top Scorer (2002-2003), Pele's FIFA 100, Pichichi Trophy (2006-2007)

Ruud van Nistelrooy is one of the greatest strikers to torment the defensive line. His instinctive ability to stay onside, his brilliant finishing ability, and his great heading ability (with ample height) makes him an all-round perfect striker, when fit.

Throughout his striking career, dominating the Eredivisie and Premier League, he has proven himself over and over again as a person who can't help but score.

While he has been injury prone of late, missing out on a large chunk of Real Madrid's last season because of a knee problem, he would bring; leadership, aerial ability with his 6'2" build, great finishing ability—and possibly most importantly—experience, especially in winning.

With Real Madrid becoming overloaded with fresh young striking options, Ruud may be easily coaxed out, seeing as his shirt number, 17, had already been re-assigned to Dani Parejo last season.

Ruud van Nistelrooy to Arsenal: Pro's and Con's

Pros

• Experienced
• Premier League tested
• Under the pecking order of Benzema and Raul at Real Madrid
• Great mentor for Bendtner and the other forwards
• Previous experience playing with Robin van Persie for the Dutch national team
• He has won a lot in his career. He could bring his winning mentality to the team.
• He's pretty good in the air at 6'2"
• Is the master of breaking the offsides trap.
• Bad ass
• Has his own song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYy2k5VdpqY)

Cons

• Slightly old for Wenger's tastes
• A gamble with his injury problems
• May be deterred by the fact that he used to play for Man United
• Hasn't played due to injury since November 2008

Conclusion

It's a gamble. Like Michael Owen for Man United, Ruud could very well be a hit or miss and could get injured early on and be ruled out like last season.

However, I think that like Owen, who has started well with two goals in two games so far, he would be a success at the Emirates. He'd be a mixture of Silvestre's father-figureness to the strikers, and Gallas's usefulness—even at an advanced age. Plus having an old partnership with our top player last year wouldn't be bad either.

All in all, I would love to see this aging legend join Arsenal, and while it is very unlikely, I will still suggest Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Oh and did I mention? He has his own song.

That in and of itself should convince people.