You can't move these days without seeing an article talking about how Arsenal are close to tying up a deal for Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, with French newspaper L'Equipe being the latest to suggest the Schalke poacher is on the way to London.

There are a range of opinions about Huntelaar, with some seeing these rumours as a smokescreen for Atletico's Adrian Lopez, while others think it's a dead cert.

Positives

The Dutchman is certainly clinical in the box, as shown by his two goals against Arsenal this season.

He scored 40 goals last season for Schalke, well aided by Jefferson Farfan and recent addition Ibrahim Afellay.

He specialises in getting into the box and scoring, which he does with great effect, something Arsenal sometimes struggle with these days, for all their creative talent.

With a 5m deal mooted, it would be an excellent addition to the squad for a low price.

Negatives

There are a few, sadly.

Huntelaar is notoriously petulant, and has even made enemies of the chief bastards in the Dutch national team in Wesley Snjeider and Rafa Van Der Vaart. He was responsible for much of the division in the camp during their disastrous Euros, largely due to being played as a sub.

Which is something that would happen fairly often at Arsenal. The last thing we need is division in the dressing room at a time like this.

What's more, for all his scoring Huntelaar is somewhat one-dimensional. Arsenal need to have all players contributing to build-up play, and he doesn't do that often. A lot of his goals come from crosses, something we struggle with too.

Despite this, Huntelaar would be a good addition to the squad if he could be accustomed to use as a super-sub and perhaps not a crucial starter.

He also hates RVP. Of course, it could just be a smokescreen.

We'll find out in January.

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Comments  

+1 #2 James 2012-12-11 13:51
Quoting Freaksoccer:
Schalke is a better club then Arsenal this year, they also almost sure to play next year CL.
Arsenal this year is terrible, and not sure of CL next year.
With Schalke, Huntelaar is also sure to play and has the whole stadium behind him with an incredible crowd.
These things he could miss alsi in London if he don't score from the beginning. Fans will see him as the new Van Persie, wich he is clearly not.
I don't think it would be a clever move for Huntelaar.
The only thing What could be interesting is that Huntelaar could earn much more money in London


We'll see who is a better club by the end of the season once they've lost Holtby and Huntelaar and Arsenal have added to their squad. What cannot be denied is Arsenal are a far bigger club and more attractive to 99% of footballers across the world than Schalke.

What makes you think Arsenal fans would see him as the new Van Persie? He's played against Arsenal on a number of occasions, and I cannot recall any Arsenal fan stating he's similar to Van Persie. He would be given a great reception at Arsenal. Giroud took a while to start scoring at Arsenal, yet I did not hear the crowd getting on his back.
-3 #1 Freaksoccer 2012-12-11 13:28
Schalke is a better club then Arsenal this year, they also almost sure to play next year CL.
Arsenal this year is terrible, and not sure of CL next year.
With Schalke, Huntelaar is also sure to play and has the whole stadium behind him with an incredible crowd.
These things he could miss alsi in London if he don't score from the beginning. Fans will see him as the new Van Persie, wich he is clearly not.
I don't think it would be a clever move for Huntelaar.
The only thing What could be interesting is that Huntelaar could earn much more money in London