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Arsenal, it seems, have identified Andre Silva as a perfect alternative to Borussia Dortmund superstar Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
According to reports from Calciomercato, the Gunners are expected to go all in for the Portuguese forward if the Aubameyang deal collapses. Even though AC Milan have clarified that their attacking starlet is not leaving the club this month, a lucrative transfer bid could just be enough to make them reconsider.
Andre Silva has the potential to emerge as a top-class striker and in this article, we will talk about 5 reasons why he can be the perfect signing for Arsenal:
#5 He's a better option than Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
First and foremost, Andre Silva is definitely a better option than Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
As mentioned in one of my previous articles, Aubameyang could prove to be a bad investment for Arsenal. The mass deterioration in his performances, coupled with his off-field behaviour should be enough to put doubts in the minds of the Arsenal fans.
Read: 5 reasons why Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a bad investment for Arsenal
Andre Silva, on the other hand, is a much safer choice considering the fact that the Portuguese international has constantly showcased his talents for both club and country this season.
Although the AC Milan striker may not be a better striker than Aubameyang at this point in time, he definitely has the potential to eclipse the Gabonese superstar in the nigh future.
#4 He's young and potent
As mentioned earlier, Andre Silva is a young striker brimming with loads of potential.
At the age of just 22, the Portuguese forward is already regarded as the potential heir to Cristiano Ronaldo in the future. Furthermore, he's quite a potent striker as well, acquiring an impressive tally of 11 goals in just 18 international caps for his country.
The youngster has already featured in almost 100 professional games, during which he has gained a significant amount of experience, which could help him settle into life in the Premier League.
Not only can Silva be a future prospect at Arsenal but he also has the ability to significantly increase the quality of the team right away. He could potentially emerge as one of the best players for Arsenal in the coming years.
#3 Silva is a modern forward
One of his best assets as a forward is his ability to not only score goals but also to take part in the buildup.
Andre Silva, much like Kasper Dolberg of Ajax, is a modern striker, who loves to track back and pick up balls from deeper positions. His great ball carrying ability allows him to carry the ball even around tight spaces.
He is not afraid to come out of his comfort zone and act as a creative spark in deeper areas of the pitch. The 22-year-old is quite comfortable in possession and also has the ability to circulate the ball in the final third of the pitch.
His previous experiences in the youth teams, where he often used to play as a midfielder, definitely help him to act like a false nine or even a false ten at times. In addition, he can also shift into the wings, where his pace becomes quite useful.
All in all, Andre Silva epitomizes the role of a modern striker, which makes him a unique composition in the final third.
#2 He can be a perfect partner to Alexandre Lacazette
Andre Silva could prove to be an ideal offensive partner for Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette, considering his ability to act as a modern striker.
The Frenchman has hit the ground running in the Premier League this season, after moving from Lyon last summer. Lacazette, who is known for his lethal goal-scoring prowess could definitely use someone like Andre Silva alongside him in the offensive department.
The AC Milan forward will also find it easier to get used to Arsenal's relatively free-flowing formation in the final third, thanks to his large skillset.
Silva's creativity and Lacazette's predatory skills combine for a potent attacking duo, which can definitely create problems for Premier League defences any day of the week.
#1 He is a complete striker
Overall, Andre Silva is a complete striker who can be an ideal addition to any team in the world.
Apart from his ability to act as a modern striker, his relatively decent physique of 185cm often becomes an intimidating presence in the box.
While he may not acquire the physical prowess as the likes of Diego Costa or Edinson Cavani, the Portuguese International still has decent power, which is enough to terrorize the opposing defenders. He is quite predominant when it comes to aerial duels as well.
Then comes his impressive scoring tally. Although he has failed to score a goal in the Italian top flight this season, Andre Silva has notched up six goals in six games in the UEFA Europa League, where his blistering performances even caught the eye of FC Barcelona, as per reports in The Sun.
Unlike Aubameyang, Andre Silva is not afraid to get out of his shell and provide much more to his team compared to any other normal strikers out there in the market. Therefore, he's definitely someone Arsenal needs to keep their eyes on!
[All figures from transfermarkt.com]
