Will Cavani be Edin to Arsenal?

Arsenal, 8/1 to win the Premier League this season, have not had the best of starts, only just limping over the line at home against Crystal Palace, and clinching a late point at Goodison Park against Everton.

With question marks hanging over the fitness of Olivier Giroud, Yaya Sanogo nowhere near the required standard of the Premier League, and Alexis Sanchez is displaying the same type of nonchalance accustomed to a player that once plied his trade for Barcelona, Cavani could be the answer.

In Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez the Chilean had players to create the requisite space for him score, against technically weaker and more tactically naive teams. All of a sudden, he looks out of his depth up against the physical demands of English football.

The answer, according to the tabloids, is PSG forward Edinson Cavani, who has been linked with a move to the Emirates for a fee in the region of £50m. Having scored 16 goals in 30 Ligue 1 appearances last term, largely out of position in a wide right berth, the Uruguayan has reportedly become frustrated at playing second fiddle to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who occupies a central role in an attacking three.

Arsene Wenger’s options are limited. Radamel Falcao is rumoured to be available, as Monaco look to recoup revenue to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations, while the only other alternative could be Porto’s Jackson Martinez, who is unproven in a top league. Having seen the clinical Croatian Mario Mandzukic move to Atletico Madrid from Bayern Munich, Wenger missed out on a player that is accustomed to a similar competition as the Premier League.

While Cavani is a risk, however, he does possess all of the attributes to be a success in English football. Well built, with good movement and an eye for goal, his physical frame is a handful to defenders, though concerns could be raised over how much he wants to succeed.

Odds-on at 2/5 to finish in the top four, it is likely Wenger will secure what has become the holy grail to the football club and secure Champions League football. Landing Cavani, though, could be the difference between winning the title and coming up just short.