Dzeko or Michu: Who should Arsenal target next?

Dzeko-Michu

It all seemed too good to be true: Arsenal signing a genuine world class player who could improve their chances of winning a trophy and maybe even boost them enough to challenge for the title.

However, with Luis Suarez revealing on Wednesday that he will now stay at Liverpool, the Gunners will have to look elsewhere to increase their firepower. Reports suggest that Arsene Wenger will target Swansea's Michu and Man City's Edin Dzeko.

When weighing up which striker would be best for Arsenal, three things need to be taken into account: ability, availability and where they would fit in at the Emirates.

With regards to availability, Michu would be the hardest to acquire. This is due to the fact he signed a new deal before the end of last season and he is an indispensable player for Swansea. In his debut season, Michu scored 18 times. His ability to drop in to the No. 10 role is something Swansea have considered, as seen by the signing of striker Wilfried Bony,and in that role he could provide Arsenal with an alternative creative channel.

Dzeko on the other hand has been linked with a move away from Manchester City for at least a year now and despite being the club’s top scorer in the Premier League last term with 14 goals, Manuel Pellegrini could cash in on the Bosnian, who is likely to be fourth choice behind Sergio Aguero, Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic.

Looking at last season’s data, Michu comes out on top. He had a Squawka Performance Score of 957 compared to Dzeko’s 524 while he also scored four more goals.

Dzeko is more accurate in front of goal, hitting the target with 53 per cent of his shots while Michu managed a shot accuracy of 42 per cent. Dzeko scored his goals in less games, but despite this, he scored a goal every 2.2 games, while Michu scored a goal every 1.9 matches.

In terms of chances created, both players were similar with the Man City man creating 32 while Michu created 34. However, Dzeko picked up three assists compared to his rival’s two. Both were named Squawka Man of the Match three times.

Both are superb in the air, with Swansea City’s Michu marginally better, winning 49 per cent of headed duels while Dzeko won 46 per cent of his.

Finally, where would each player fit in to the Arsenal line up? While Michu played as a centre forward in 2012/13 he is better deployed just behind the front man. Arsenal have plenty of players who can play in the No. 10 role, including Santi Cazorla and even Lukas Podolski.

On the other hand, Dzeko is an out-and-out striker and a more traditional centre-forward, a position in which Arsenal only currently have Olivier Giroud.

Taking everything into consideration, Dzeko would be the best bet for Arsenal. While Michu edges it in much of the stats, the differences are marginal and Dzeko's style of play is what Arsenal need.

Furthermore, the City forward has experience of winning trophies having won the league in England and Germany - a trait which Arsenal could do with.

Eurosprt