Why Dimitar Berbatov could solve Arsenal’s problems

Fulham‘s former Tottenham Hotspur hit man Dimitar Berbatov would be an ideal January signing for Arsenal should he wish to swap Craven Cottage for the Emirates, according to TalkSPORT.

Even before the start of the season—and prior to the Gunners’ unexpected top billing in the title race—the club’s lack of cover for Olivier Giroud was highlighted as the major squad weakness that could undermine Arsene Wenger’s season.

Now, with Arsenal only just clinging onto their Premier League lead and injuries to Nicklas Bendtner and Giroud defanging their attack, Berbatov could be just the tonic to revitalise their title bid. After all the North Londoners need more than just a goal scorer, with their centre of gravity fixated upon their overstocked and over-saturated midfield.

Giroud’s importance as a foil to Aaron Ramsey and co. cannot be overstated. He is a battering ram, although an exquisitely crafted one at that, whose task it is to create space in and around the box for those who follow him into the breach.

Unlike the traditional brutes associated with such a role Giroud is a sophisticated weapon of blunt trauma adapted to the supple grip of the Gunners’ chosen playmakers, as if he were somehow carved from fine French oak and lavishly upholstered with plush, comfortable push handles.

He is the player Marouane Chamakh and Bendtner were meant to be, underlining how difficult Wenger’s search for such a player has been, let alone a worthy back-up or replacement.

But Berbatov could be the perfect candidate to be Giroud’s understudy, especially as a complimentary squad player within the attacking roster, whose technique is worthy of comparison to the legendary Dennis Bergkamp.

In fact, the Bulgarian would complete a very Arsenal-esque sliding scale of flamboyant target men that currently begins with the relatively prosaic Bendtner and ends with Giroud’s eclectic middle ground of power, pizzazz and build-up play.

Berbatov’s arrival as the Dane’s opposite bookend would give the Gunners’ a debonair focal point to play off and into whenever their first-choice Frenchman is injured or in need of rest.

The Fulham striker’s suitability to return to a top four club may be called into question by those who were left disappointed by his spell with Manchester United, but even at Old Trafford he was able to prosper when given the task of leading the line.

In the 2010-11 season, in which he was awarded the Premier League golden boot, he was occasionally spectacular up front for Sir Alex Ferguson’s team, and often appeared to benefit from the absence of Wayne Rooney. The Englishman’s natural tendency to drop deep and play between the lines meant that the two forwards more often than not cancelled each other’s cunning out, causing the team’s attack to over-think itself into a whimper.

At Arsenal he would be thrust into the lone striker role, with runners rushing forwards to support and feed from his sublime first touch and knockdowns. Recently, when given the space, Berbatov has shown just how capable a provider he remains, with his pass to Alexander Kacaniklic prior to his penalty goal against Aston Villa a highlight of the season in its own right.

His tendency to score the vast majority of his goals from within the box would also suit the Gunners well, with Giroud also preferring to strike close to goal, allowing others to maraud outside the area as goal threats from range or while running into space.

Berbatov Goals Scored 2012/13

Giroud Goals Scored 2013/14

Backed up by Arsenal’s fully functioning midfield it’s unlikely the Bulgarian’s lack of drive would hamper him should he move to the Emirates. His lethargy as a ball-winner and tackler would be less of an issue considering his often overlooked abilities in the air and surprisingly robust physique when on the ball that would make it worth his teammates while to service him.

He may not be the most reliable player of all time, but as an alternative option in the squad to focus the midfield threat around, it’s hard to think of a player more in-line with Arsenal’s style of play and strengths than Berbatov.

With Fulham unlikely to progress beyond mid-table during his playing career, another chance to increase his medal count in the familiar surroundings of the English capital may prove to be too good an opportunity to turn down for the debonair goalscorer.