EPL 2016/17: Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal would do well with Chicharito up top

Hernandez has been in fine form for Leverkusen

Former Manchester United skipper Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal would do well with Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez up top.

Ferdinand and Hernandez won two Premier League titles together at Manchester United before the Mexican international was sold to Bayer Leverkusen for a paltry £7.3 million in August 2015.

Further, although Hernandez was predominantly used as a ‘super sub’ during his days at Old Trafford, he has been nothing short of a revelation, since his move to the BayArena.

In his short time in Germany, Hernandez has established himself as one of the most prolific strikers in the Bundesliga by scoring 33 goals in 53 appearances for Leverkusen. It is perhaps this sort of form that led Ferdinand to admit that he was surprised by United’s decision to let the ‘Little Pea’ go.

Ferdinand told BT Sport, “I can’t believe he was allowed to leave. Even more surprising, he was sold for £7.3 million, that’s an absolute steal. If he played for Spurs he’d score 20 a season, or Arsenal. His movement is so infectious to the team he’s always on the move.”

United’s loss is Leverkusen’s gain

Though Chicharito’s success in the Bundesliga may come as a surprise to some, this shouldn’t really be the case for anyone who has followed the diminutive Mexican since his Manchester United days.

Despite never being a target man upfront, the vast majority of Hernandez’s goals have always come from being in the right place at the right time. This uncanny ability of Hernandez has also seen him be labelled as the ultimate ‘fox in the box’.

Moreover, it was this very ability that saw Hernandez rescue many lost causes and turn otherwise inevitable draws into victories for the Red Devils.  

Van Gaal’s decision to let Hernandez go was one that did raise a few eyebrows, given the Mexican’s reputation as an impact player from the bench. However, after having been given very few chances at United under the Dutchman, Hernandez was sold to Leverkusen for a rather nominal fee.

However, what United actually lost in Hernandez was a proven goal scorer who is guaranteed to score goals as long as he is provided with the necessary service. But Leverkusen knew what they were getting by signing Hernandez, and pounced on signing the Mexican at the first available opportunity.

Ferdinand’s claims that Hernandez would thrive at Arsenal do not come as a surprise given the kind of quality Arsenal possesses in midfield, with the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil,Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey.

Hernandez would be the last missing piece of the puzzle, should Arsene Wenger feel the need to bring in a prolific goal scorer to the Emirates.

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