Should Arsenal target Ezequiel Lavezzi?

As we move closer to the opening of the January transfer window, many Premier League clubs are finding themselves linked with a huge variety of potential new signings.

Arsenal have been linked with a whole host of forwards already, with PSG attacker Ezequiel Lavezzi one of the latest names in the frame for an Emirates Stadium move. The Argentine is a versatile performer who can play right up front, from the flanks or in a withdrawn forward’s role, where his movement off the ball and pace make him a threat running into space.

Lavezzi has been in and out of the team this season though and has suffered with injury, yielding just two Ligue 1 goals so far.

Indeed, he has generally been performing at well below the level he is capable of. Just 10 shots on goal this season in 11 games shows that he is not regularly getting into positions to offer attempts at goal.

Having said that, he hits the target more often than not, with 80% of his efforts on target. A 10% conversion rate, though, is certainly more noteworthy than his efforts on target. Considering the amount of matches that PSG should dominate in their league, a final-third player with Lavezzi’s talent should be offering more.

Similarly, the Argentine has not been extremely involved in creating chances for others.

He has managed 12 so far this season, with no assists to date. In comparison to the rest of his team-mates, he lags behind the likes of Thiago Motta and Edinson Cavani, and is far and away behind Lucas Moura (26) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (27).

Lavezzi’s pass completion rate of 79% is not particularly concerning, but neither is it as reliable or inventive as Cavani or Jeremy Menez, for example.

One of his big strengths, over the years, has been his ability to beat a man with the ball at his feet. Good acceleration, a low centre of gravity and the ability to use both feet all combine to give Lavezzi an advantage in one-on-one situations. In this regard, he continues to do relatively well, completing 10 of his 18 attempts, while he has also won 15 fouls for his team.

It all points to a more-than-capable player who is simply performing below his level at present. Whether that is on account of fitness issues, an inability to quite fit into the playing system at PSG or the need to move to a new environment and challenge, is unclear.

As an aside, Lavezzi has also featured in all five group stage games for PSG in this season’s UEFA Champions League. While he might be able to aid the Gunners’ quest for the Premier League title, he would be ineligible in European competition until next season.

On the question of whether Arsenal should look to him to boost their season, it perhaps depends on how they intend to use him and what valuation PSG would put on him. Way below his best, it’s arguable that he’s not going to offer more from the wide areas of Arsenal’s attack than the likes of Lukas Podolski or Theo Walcott. If PSG are looking for a reasonable return on the £22 million they forked out for him only 18 months ago, then perhaps Arsene Wenger should be looking elsewhere for reinforcements.