Arsenal Transfers: Robin Van Persie's 10 Possible Partners

Robin Van Persie has been one of the main reasons for Arsenal's revival in the last few weeks, as he has continued his incredible run of form from the second half of the previous season.

It has been a phenomenal year individually for Van Persie, who is arguably the best forward currently in the Premiership. It is important for Arsenal that their captain continues his superb run. 

However, the Dutchman has had a history of injury problems, which means that there is always concern with regard to his fitness, which is why Wenger has rested him in some games this season. Though Van Persie is a fantastic striker who will score goals whenever he gets opportunities, it is important for Wenger to reduce the goalscoring responsibility of the Dutchman.

To do so, he could look for possible partners for the impressive Dutchman in the January transfer window. Van Persie is yet to commit his long-term future to the Gunners; the addition of quality players could play a part in this.

Here are 10 possible partners for Van Persie, if Wenger does change the formation to include two centre forwards.

1. Lukas Podolski (FC Koln)

Lukas Podolski is one of the best strikers to emerge from Germany and has shown his quality in major tournaments as well.

Though the talented attacker's move to Bayern Munich was not a success, he has the quality to play at the highest level. The FC Koln man, who is at his home club, will not be easy to sign, but he could be an excellent partner for Robin van Persie, though they are a little similar in some aspects of their play.

Podolski is more direct, so if Van Persie plays slightly deeper, the German could have a great impact for the Gunners. Also, the presence of Germany international Per Mertesacker could play a part in convincing Podolski to move to the Emirates.

If he does arrive, it could be a major move for the Gunners, as well as for the striker.

2. Steven Jovetic (Fiorentina)

Steven Jovetic is one of the most talented youngsters in the world and it is no surprise that he has attracted interest from a number of clubs, including Arsenal. Though not a typical centre forward, he can play in an advanced position as a second striker or as an attacking midfielder and can prove to be an excellent partner for Van Persie.

Jovetic is a player with a lot of natural ability. The opportunity to work under Arsene Wenger could also play an important role in Arsenal being able to attract the youngster.

If the Gunners can sign Jovetic, it will be a very important signing, as he will bring more creativity to the team. 

3. Keisuke Honda (CSKA Moscow)

Keisuke Honda is a very talented midfielder. The Japanese international can play a number of positions, ranging from deep-lying midfielder to second striker, though he has excelled in an advanced role behind the striker. For that reason, he could be targeted by the Gunners to forge an excellent partnership with Robin van Persie.

The CSKA Moscow midfielder has been linked with the Gunners in the past and there is still a chance that Arsenal might be interested.

Honda impressed in the World Cup and the Asian Cup for Japan and has the quality to make an impact at the highest level for a top club.

Also, the signing of Honda will have its commercial impact for Arsenal, considering that their popularity has already grown in Asia following the preseason tour and the signings of Ryo Miyaichi and Park Ju-Young.

4. Alexandre Pato (AC Milan)

Alexandre Pato can be considered to be one of the most talented Brazilian players. He could be a major signing for Arsenal, if they do splash the cash.

Milan are highly unlikely to sell him on the cheap and Arsenal do have to take a gamble with regard to his fitness. The versatile striker will undoubtedly improve the quality of the team and his composure in finishing will certainly reduce Van Persie's responsibilities.

Pato will add pace and movement if signed and could be a huge asset for the Gunners. With Nicklas Bendtner on loan and looking set for a permanent move away from the club, Arsenal need to add a quality striker.

Signing Pato will be a statement of intent from the Gunners. 

5. Salomon Kalou (Chelsea)

Salomon Kalou is another player who could be targeted by the Gunners manager Arsene Wenger, as he will have only six months on his contract and might not sign a new one at Chelsea.

With many excellent strikers like Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba ahead of him, there is a good chance that he will not get much playing time. However, whether or not Arsenal need him is also a question of debate, considering that he is not a striker of the highest quality like Van Persie or Drogba. 

Also, he will be probably selected for the African Nations Cup along with Gervinho for the Ivory Coast team, which means Arsenal will be short of strikers in January.

Arsenal do have the money to spend on a quality striker and after Marouane Chamakh failed to impress for the Gunners, the last thing they need is a striker who does not provide genuine competition.

6. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

Karim Benzema is a player who will undoubtedly improve the quality of the team if he is signed, but it will be very difficult to persuade Real Madrid to sell the talented young striker.

Benzema had a difficult start to his career at Real Madrid, but his performances have been of the highest quality in the last year as he has scored several vital goals for Madrid. 

However, with Real Madrid interested in Brazilian international Neymar and Gonzalo Higuain returning to his best form scoring several goals for club and country, Benzema's playing time could be reduced.

He would be a great addition to the Gunners, as he has the potential to score plenty of goals and will also fit in well with Arsenal's style of play.

7. Marco Reus (Borussia Moenchengladbach)

Marco Reus has impressed for Borussia Moenchengladbach, which has attracted the interest of several clubs across the world. Arsenal, Manchester City and German giants Bayern Munich have been linked with the German international, who is considered to be an excellent talent for the future.

Reus is versatile and can play on either wing or in the centre and has an eye for scoring goals.

He could be an excellent addition to the Arsenal team that has lacked creativity after the departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, though the emergence of Aaron Ramsey is a huge positive.

Also, with Gervinho likely to leave for the African Nations Cup in January, it is important that Arsenal sign a versatile attacker. Reus can establish a great partnership with the in-form Robin Van Persie.

8. Mario Goetze (Borussia Dortmund)

Mario Goetze has established himself as one of the world's best young players and has undoubtedly been one of the best performers for Borussia Dortmund, helping them win the league title last season.

Goetze has the quality to develop into one of the best players in the world, which is why Arsenal are targeting the Germany international.

Goetze is very versatile and can play on the wings or just behind the striker. With Robin van Persie not the typical centre forward, Goetze can form an excellent partnership with the Dutchman, as both of them are very creative players.

If Arsenal can sign him in the future, it will be a huge coup for the Gunners, as he can help them win many titles.

9. Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilboa)

Fernando Llorente is also a very talented striker who could be targeted by the Gunners, as he has shown that he has the quality to score goals consistently at the highest level.

The Spanish international has proved his quality at Athletic Bilbao and also for Spain, for which he has scored some vital goals. He can be a target man for the Gunners and does have the physicality to hold off defenders, which can be a huge asset for the Gunners.

Llorente will not come at a bargain but he could be a useful signing for the Gunners and Van Persie could operate in a role just behind the centre forward, where he will have more space as well. However, with the Dutchman excelling in his current role, Arsene Wenger might not decide to change the formation.

Llorente could be a big addition for the Gunners, as he will provide a genuine attacking threat when the Dutchman is injured as well.

10. Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

Though Theo Walcott might not be the most technically gifted player at Arsenal, he has the capability to be a genuine attacking threat because of his immense pace and has provided many assists to Dutchman Robin van Persie.

Also, it can also be observed that he tends to play better alongside Van Persie than any other striker and when the Dutchman does drop deep, Walcott tends to occupy a more central role, thereby dragging defenders out of position.

It is clear that Van Persie and Walcott have a great understanding of their games, which is why they can form a great partnership.

It is difficult to integrate a striker to play alongside Van Persie because he is a unique player with regard to his playing style. However, Walcott is a player who has played plenty of games alongside the Dutchman, benefiting from his creativity as well.

If the Arsenal manager decides to play two strikers in the centre, it would be better to provide Walcott a chance to prove his quality in the centre alongside Van Persie. If he does well, Wenger could sign a quality winger to add creativity from the flanks.