Why Arsenal should go back in the market for Andrea Petagna
According to claims from Italian outlet Calciomercato (h/t Football.London), Arsenal were interested in signing Italian international striker Andrea Petagna from Napoli in the summer. However, the Serie A outfit weren’t prepared to sanction a departure for the 25-year-old and turned down the approach from Mikel Arteta’s side.
Profile
A youth exponent of AC Milan, Andrea Petagna made his senior professional debut for the Rossoneri way back during the 2012-13 season. However, he managed only 5 first-team appearances for his boyhood club, spending time on loan at Latina, Vicenza, and Ascoli in Serie B, as well as fellow top-flight club Sampdoria, before completing a permanent move to Atalanta.
The 25-year-old netted 11 times in 75 appearances for Atalanta over the course of two seasons before joining newly-promoted SPAL, initially on loan. Petagna racked up a career-best tally of 17 goals in 37 appearances during the 2018-19 campaign, prompting Napoli to come calling for his services in January 2020.
He stayed with SPAL for the remainder of the 2019-20 season but couldn’t save the club from relegation, despite scoring 12 times in all competitions. Petagna is yet to start a single league fixture for Napoli in the ongoing campaign but recently made a big impression, scoring the winner in a 2-1 win over Benevento in the Serie A.
Petagna would add more depth to Arsenal’s attack
Arsenal grabbed the headlines with the acquisitions of Gabriel Magalhaes, Willian, and Thomas Partey in the summer window as Mikel Arteta splashed the cash to reshape the squad to his liking. However, a new long-term contract for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was perhaps the most important piece of business for the Gunners.
Aubameyang is already 31 and the new deal means that he has effectively committed the remainder of his prime years to Arsenal. That certainly comes as a massive boost to Arteta’s plans.
However, things have been far from ideal for Aubameyang following his new contract. The 31-year-old has netted only once in six PL fixtures so far this season. That’s a massive downturn in form for someone who racked up a staggering 22 league goals for the Gunners last term.
Alexandre Lacazette has started the 2020-21 season on a bright note, scoring 3 times in 5 league outings, after an injury-stricken campaign last time around. The Frenchman has had his fair share of struggles with injuries over the years. With less than two years remaining on his contract at the English capital, the 29-year-old’s long-term future remains up in the air.
Arsenal have often relied on academy prospect Eddie Nketiah to deliver the goods in front of goal. But the 21-year-old is yet to make a big impact in the Premier League and probably needs more time to make the step up to the highest level.
Hence, the Gunners should ideally look to bring in another centre-forward, not only to add more depth to the striking ranks but also to potentially take over the reins from Lacazette in the near future.
Arsenal should make a renewed attempt to sign Andrea Petagna in January or next summer. Standing at 6ft 2in with a powerful frame, the Italy international has the raw qualities to make a big impression in English football.
The 25-year-old hit the double-digit mark in successive Serie A campaigns for a struggling side, which clearly lies testament to his quality and pedigree in front of goal. Petagna has already enjoyed a positive start to his career at Napoli and a productive spell in Naples could well be a stepping stone for a move to England.
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Verdict
Andrea Petagna still has his best years ahead of him at 25 and working under a dynamic modern-day manager like Arteta will surely help him take his game to the next level. The Italy international has carved out a reputation for himself as a powerful striker in the Serie A and Arsenal have every reason to hope that he would be able to cut the mustard in the PL.
