Imagining an Arsenal Side with Napoli Striker Gonzalo Higuain Leading the Attack

With Napoli struggling to make the Champions League next season, Gonzalo Higuain could well be on the move. 

Arsenal were linked with the Argentine hit-man back in the summer of 2013. Mark Irwin of The Sun even went as far as to suggest that a deal had been agreed with Real Madrid, before the striker eventually moved to Napoli instead.

Now, Jamie Sanderson of Metro reports on claims in CalcioMercato that the Gunners are set to revive their interest. It would be a huge surprise to see Higuain arrive in north London. However, if he did, how would he fit in to the Arsenal XI?

Salvatore Laporta/Associated Press

When Arsenal were first linked with Higuain, he was seen as an upgrade on Olivier Giroud. Now, he wouldn’t necessarily arrive as first choice. Giroud has had his best season yet in an Arsenal shirt, overcoming a fractured leg to rack up 18 goals in 21 starts.

The recent FA Cup semi-final win over Reading demonstrated Arsenal’s reliance on Giroud. Arsene Wenger had begun the game with Danny Welbeck in the centre-forward role, but the team struggled for fluency without Giroud as a focal point. When the Frenchman was introduced midway through the second half, Arsenal suddenly came to life. The Gunners are lost without their powerful pivot.

If Higuain was to be a starter at Arsenal, it would surely have to be alongside Giroud. One option would be to make use of his versatility to play him wide on the right.

Although Higuain has been exclusively a centre-forward for Napoli, during his time at Real Madrid he was regularly shunted on to the flank. It’s nothing new for a high-profile striker signing to play on the wing. Paris Saint-German spent big to bring in Edinson Cavani from Napoli, only to deploy him out wide. Wenger has also done much the same with Danny Welbeck since his arrival from Manchester United. 

At present, that right-sided role is filled by Aaron Ramsey, who is not a winger by trade. With Wenger’s faith in Theo Walcott seemingly waning, there would be an opportunity for Higuain to cement a place in the side as part of a rotating three-man attack with Giroud and Alexis Sanchez.

Higuain is not exceedingly quick, but he has intelligent movement and a poacher’s instinct. With Mesut Ozil deployed just behind, it could be a devastating combination. 

Possible Arsenal XI

However, the player’s preference would surely be to join Giroud in a traditional front two. That would necessitate a switch back to 4-4-2, which would in turn force a restructure of the Arsenal midfield. 

If the Gunners were to move to a four-man midfield, they’d need to ensure they had enough physical presence to cope in the centre of the park. That might mean leaving out Santi Cazorla and instead introducing Ramsey alongside Francis Coquelin. Ozil and Alexis, both more effective higher up the field, would then be pushed in to wide midfield roles.

Alternative Arsenal XI

That would not be as effective a system for Arsenal, primarily because it would end up stifling their most creative players. If Higuain were to join Arsenal, he’d most likely have to become accustomed to a role on the flank in their 4-2-3-1.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout the 2014-15 season. Follow him on Twitter here.