20 chances created in 10 games: Should Arsenal target this explosive striker?

West Bromwich Albion’s Gareth McAuley challenges Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke during their English Premier League soccer match at The Hawthorns in West Bromwich

Arsenal have once again been linked with a new striker, according to The Metro. Those in the frame include Real Madrid frontman Karim Benzema, Romania and Getafe striker Ciprian Marica and, not for the first time, Aston Villa forward Christian Benteke.

Some may argue that Arsenal do not need another striker but it is no secret that Arsene Wenger was trying to sign one during the summer transfer window to add some depth to the squad. Olivier Giroud has done well, scoring seven league goals so far, but after the France striker, and Aaron Ramsey with six goals, they are lacking in the goals department. It is worth considering though that both Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski have spent a lot of this season on the treatment table.

So it is obvious that Arsenal need another striker, for back up to Giroud at the minimum but should it be Benteke?

The Belgium striker has suffered with injury this season but has still scored four goals in 10 league outings, or one goal every 2.5 games. Last season was even better, 19 goals in 34 games which averages out at a goal every 1.8 games.

Christian Benteke goals scored last season

This works out far better than Marica, who would admittedly be a far cheaper option than either of the other Arsenal targets. Marica has scored just one in seven for Getafe this season while last season the Romania international scored three in 13 for Schalke in the Bundesliga.

How does Benzema compare with Benteke then? Well he obviously has the added advantage of Champions League experience, and has scored two goals in four European games this season as well as seven in 13, better than a goal every two games, in La Liga in 2013. He would however cost in excess of £20m.

Giroud’s seven goals in 12 games works out at a goal every 1.7 matches, better than Benteke both this season and last. In terms of goals he does not need replacing.

Olivier Giroud Goals Scored

Perhaps Benteke, or any Emirates bound striker, would not be competing with Giroud, but with the likes of Nicklas Bendtner and Yaya Sanogo. Bendtner has made three fleeting substitute performances and has showed three things. 1. A poor work ethic. 2. An unbelievable arrogance, and 3. One shot. Sanogo has played 10 Premier League minutes and managed to achieve a Performance Score of -14.

Benteke would easily oust those two as a backup or alternate option to Giroud.

The Aston Villa forward also offers more that goals. While his pass completion is as low as 57% he has made 20 key passes this season. He also wins a respectable 40% of take ons and just over half of his areal duels.

Taking into account his goalscoring record and his value, especially compared with Arsenal’s other rumoured transfer targets Benteke would appear to be the best option. However it would be a lot of money to spend on a striker that would be back-up for Giroud.

Wenger does not play with two centre forwards and Giroud is not going to be dropped any time soon. With this in mind maybe Arsenal should look for a cheaper option or wait for the returns of both Walcott and Podolski who both, when fit, are capable of playing that centre forward role.