Why Robert Lewandowski Is the Bayern Munich Player Arsenal Would Love to Sign

Bayern Munich have a squad packed with top-class talent, most of whom would find a home on the Arsenal roster. However, if they could make one fantasy signing from Pep Guardiola’s side, it would surely be superstar striker Robert Lewandowski.

They’re not alone in that respect. Lewandowski has long been one of the most admired forward’s on the continent, but his form this season has elevated him to one of the most in-demand footballers on the planet. Lewandowski’s recent performances have him talked about among football’s top tier of talent, alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

There are other players at Bayern who would doubtless contribute to the Arsenal cause. For a long time, the obvious choice would have been Manuel Neuer. However, the arrival of Petr Cech has assuaged the urgency of Arsenal’s need for a top-class goalkeeper. 

Alternatively, David Alaba would offer a long-term solution at left-back, or an alternative partner to Laurent Koscielny in the centre of defence. The Austrian has the combination of power and grace that Wenger loves to see in his defensive players.

Thiago Alcantara has the playmaking skills to succeed Santi Cazorla in the middle of the park, and he would bring yet more flair to Arsenal’s colourful approach play. Thomas Muller, meanwhile, would make an excellent foil for Mesut Ozil, darting infield from the right flank to support the centre-forward. At the moment, Aaron Ramsey is the Gunners’ first choice in that role, and Muller would certainly be a more obvious fit.

However, it’s in that striking position that Arsenal are most obviously in need of an upgrade. Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott have both been in good form this season, but neither is considered to be in the true world-class bracket. 

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Lewandowski undoubtedly is. His goalscoring record this season has been nothing short of outrageous. According to WhoScored.com, eight Bundesliga starts have yielded 13 goals. He has scored three times in three Champions League appearances. His stats in Poland’s Euro 2016 qualifying campaign read 10 appearances, 12 goals. Lewandowski is on fire. 

Arsenal have already encountered him once this season, when only a superb stop from Petr Cech prevented him from equalising at the Emirates Stadium. Prior to that match, Arsene Wenger eulogised about his quality, per Sky Sports:

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First the best to combat him is for us to have the ball, and after that you have to be shrewd with him.

Inside the box he is outstanding, because his technique, his finishing, his movement inside the box, that is where we need the experience of [Per] Mertesacker and [Laurent] Koscielny. That's because that will be one of the important things on the night. 

Even in a game which Arsenal won, Lewandowski offered a constant menace. 

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He seems like the perfect striker for the Premier League. The Poland international is robust enough to survive the more physical aspect of the English game, but he also has the technical skill to fit seamlessly into a team like Arsenal. The striker would be the most complete striker Arsenal have had since Robin van Persie was in his pomp.

There is little he can’t do. Lewandoski is an intelligent hold-up player, powerful in the air and an unerring finisher. For a man of his size, he’s also surprisingly quick. 

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He’s blessed with a superb work ethic that underpins everything he does. His continuing development is in part explained by his dedication on the training field. As Lewandowski told ShortList (h/t Daily Mail):

"When the goals are going in, you want them to keep going in, and that means you need to carry on working hard. What you do in training will reflect itself in the game."

A good run of form has brought no sign of complacency for Lewandowski. He has the ruthless, undeterred focus shared by all great goalscorers. As soon as one goal is scored, he is fixated by the next. There’s an insatiable appetite inherent in his game. 

The prospect of him linking up with Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez is a mouthwatering one. He could even play with Walcott, helping to link the play and set the English flier free.

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The player who would suffer most in the event of Lewandowski’s hypothetical arrival would undoubtedly be Giroud. The prolific Pole would effectively be a like-for-like upgrade on the Frenchman. 

Wenger has obviously given the potential some consideration. In 2014, he admitted he had once considered trying to prise Lewandowski away from Borussia Dortmund. Unfortunately, his destination was already apparent, per Neil Ashton of the Daily Mail: 

"Yes we looked into Lewandowski but honestly he signed for Bayern one and a half years ago, everyone knows that. They can only make it official now because he is in the last six months of his contract."

Any chance of a deal is surely gone now. Bayern are not a club prone to selling their best players. They’re a financial superpower and, under Guardiola, a footballing one too. Lewandowski has the platform his talents deserve, and he is unlikely to look to move on any time soon. He has found his football paradise. 

Lewandowski’s talents were evident at Dortmund, but he has found another level at Bayern. Incredibly, he insists there is more to come. Speaking to ShortList (h/t Daily Mail), Lewandowski stated:

"People have been asking me if I'm playing the best football of my career. Maybe it is, but I still hope I can get better. I know I can get better."

That’s a terrifying thought for centre-halves throughout Europe. Koscielny and Per Mertesacker will be anxious enough about the prospect of facing this iteration of Lewandowski in this week’s Champions League fixture. 

Unfortunately for Arsenal, any improvement is likely to make Bayern even more keen to hold on to his services. The sight of Lewandowski in an Arsenal shirt seems destined to remain little more than a fantasy.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout 2015/16. Follow him on Twitter here.