Arsenal Transfer News: Gonzalo Higuain Unrest Sparks Fresh Gunners Rumours

Arsene Wenger could be about to reignite his interest in Gonzalo Higuain, according to reports on Tuesday.

The Gunners boss was interested in the striker before he confirmed a move to Napoli in 2013, per John Edwards of the Daily Mail. With just Danny Welbeck and an injured Olivier Giroud as the squad's proven strikers, Wenger might be tempted into making a bid for the misfiring Argentinian, as reported by Fichajes.net (via Aaron Flanagan of the Mirror).

Higuain is yet to score in seven Serie A appearances for Rafa Benitez's side this season, per WhoScored.com. He has netted twice in the Europa League but trails four goals behind Jose Callejon as the club's top scorer this season.

Squawka posted a teasing image after Higuain's poor display during Napoli's recent 2-2 draw with Inter Milan, a match which saw Callejon net both:

Higuain is a natural finisher who uses small bursts of movement to create space. He isn't particularly strong or quick, nor is he dominant in the air. The 26-year-old's lack of physical attributes can often be emphasised when he isn't contributing, as he doesn't offer much if his hold-up play and finishing loses its sharpness.

Even so, he could be a smart signing for the Gunners, who don't possess an instinctive striker. Welbeck has worked avidly since joining from Manchester United—scoring five times in seven appearances—but will need someone else to shoulder the goalscoring responsibility as Arsenal attempt to land silverware across three fronts.

Welbeck is having to make countless runs to ensure Arsenal maintain their pace when going forward. Quite often he bursts into the box and finds himself isolated, so he could use someone of Higuain's ilk to finish moves off. Wenger rarely deploys two strikers, though, and he would likely push Welbeck out wide in order to facilitate such a signing.

Considering Welbeck's career went stale in a similar role for United, this would be against the player's best interests. Sam Tighe of B/R UK suggests it would be best to keep Welbeck in his favoured position:

Giroud will likely find it difficult to knock the Englishman out of Wenger's line-up upon his return from injury, while Yaya Sanogo is yet to consistently impress when given an opportunity to play. Considering Chelsea, Manchester City, United and Liverpool all have three strikers who can make a difference when playing well, Arsenal should be tempted by adding a sharpshooter.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Wenger would need Higuain to up his work-rate if he was to join the Emirates club. He has only completed 76.4 percent of passes in Serie A this season, per WhoScored, while his average of 0.6 successful dribbles each appearance is also worrying.

Arsenal players work quickly and efficiently, progressing play with intelligent passes and movement. Higuain has shown little to suggest he would fit in this season. Although he isn't lazy, Arsenal would need to lay on simple chances for him to consistently score in his current form.

He is surely a tempting option—Wenger likes to rescue players from dire situations, as highlighted with Welbeck—but Arsenal need to make sure their next striker is a proven goalscorer who offers unique qualities which fit into the squad.