Should Arsenal have gambled on Steven Fletcher?

Arsenal have made a good start to the Premier League season, however missed chances have prevented it from being a brilliant one.

In all four games in which they’ve dropped points, Arsenal have missed a host of chances, with their new signing Olivier Giroud spurning match winning opportunities against both Stoke and Sunderland. The latter side purchased a striker in the summer who has no problem finding the net. Steven Fletcher has scored five goals in five games since his arrival from Wolves, which leads me to ask, should Arsenal have taken a punt on him?

Fletcher’s Sunderland don’t create many chances, the least in the Premier League this season, but their man main is already the league’s second top goalscorer. The Scottish international comes alive in the penalty box, and is a threat with the ball in the air or at his feet. Having previously scored goals for two struggling sides in the form of Burnley and Wolves, I was surprised a Liverpool nor Arsenal gambled on the goalscorer.

Having lost Robin Van Persie to Manchester United this summer, it’s clear Arsenal needed a to bring in at least one forward to replace the Dutchman. Arsene Wenger splashed out £12million on Giroud, someone with no Premier league experience, and despite his obvious qualities, has started slowly to life in English football. In comparison, Fletcher has hit the ground running for his new club. Fletcher is of the same age as Giroud, and commanded the same fee, and will probably outscore the Frenchman this year too!

Giroud could’ve earnt the club an extra five points and Arsenal will need every point possible to secure a top four spot this season. Fletcher would have converted the said chances and Arsenal would be much closer to the top of the Premier league table if they gambled on the Scot.