Arsenal’s title challenge has been seriously marred by their faltering performance this season, but former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes that the addition of Zlatan Ibrahimovic could help the Gunners get the “winning mentality”.
In the last month, Arsenal have gone from challenging for three different titles, to looking at just the FA Cup as their only realistic chance of winning any silverware this season. Having gone on a five-match win-less streak has not helped the Gunners, and now they are eight points behind in the Premier League table.
On the Champions League front, Arsenal are facing up to the possibility of turning around a two-goal deficit at the Nou Camp, against Barcelona. The one positive for them is that they are into the quarter finals of the FA Cup, a competition in which they are trying to register a third season without any losses.
However, after Ibrahimovic’s terrific performance against Chelsea in the Round of 16 tie of the Champions League, Ferdinand believes that the PSG forward still has enough in him to help a top side like Arsenal get back to winning ways.
“This game was decided by clinical play and Ibrahimovic was at the centre of that. He basically ended the tie,” Ferdinand was quoted as saying by BT Sport [via 90min]. “He showed today that even at 34, English clubs should be looking at him as a free transfer.”
“He can be the catalyst to winning things because that’s what he does. Arsenal [should sign him]. He would give them that winning mentality,” he continued.
Ibra can fit perfectly into Arsenal
While Arsene Wenger reportedly had the chance to sign Ibrahimovic up when the Swede was still young, the Frenchman can still benefit from him being in the Gunners’ squad. Ibrahimovic has proved, with his performance against Chelsea, that he can play well against English teams.
Also, Arsenal are currently short on experienced strikers, and Ibrahimovic can fit into that role perfectly. At the age of 34, one cannot expect the Swede to play every game (especially in the Premier League). However, he would give Wenger some options up front, other than Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott (who is more of a winger than a striker). Also, with his vast experience, he can add to the Gunners’ dressing room, which already boasts of big names like Petr Cech and Per Mertesacker.
