Premier League: Wenger would be wise to poach Icardi from Inter in January

As the full-time whistle sounded at the Emirates on Saturday, Arsene Wenger knew some of the questions he would be asked.

“Look, we didn’t make enough from our set-pieces today and from our crosses, so of course the first thing that comes to mind is a guy with a bit more size in the box and more physical presence could have helped, yes.”

Giroud’s absence has been most felt when the Gunners have needed versatility. Alexis Sanchez has at times performed brilliantly in the role of a false 9, but when Wenger has required a target forward he has struggled to summon one. Chuba Akpom now injured, while Lucas Pérez lacks aerial presence and Yaya Sanogo lacks quality. Consequently, it has painted the Arsenal boss into a difficult corner, in which he is forced to hope that Olivier Giroud can stay fit. However, come January there is a chance that Wenger could rectify the situation.

The name Mauro Icardi is not a new one to Arsenal fans. The Argentinian has been suggested as a target for the club on numerous occasions – and most consistently during the past summer. “As far as I know,” Wanda Icardi, the player’s wife and agent said in the summer, “Inter have put Mauro up for sale. There are a number of clubs interested. We will assess the situation with the utmost respect for everyone.”

Speaking at the time, Inter’s Sporting Director Piero Ausilio said Wanda’s words had arrived in the “wrong place at the wrong time”. Going into further detail, Ausilio quashed the rumours at the time with a series of important facts. “It’s been fun,” Ausilio said, “but let’s get serious. Icardi extended his contract a year ago. We gave him the captain’s armband. He is unsellable.”

A lot can change in a few months, especially after the release of Icardi’s controversial autobiography: Sempre Avanti – Always Ahead. Many may scoff at the idea of a 23-year-old releasing a book, but it falls to the ghostwriter of that memoir, Paolo Fontanesi, to justify it. “It’s true that Icardi is a 23-year-old, but people forget that his 23 years are like 40 for another person, he’s had a life full of incident,” he told Premium Sport.

Fontanesi was speaking in the wake of Icardi’s latest incident, and one that he may not recover from. Involving his now controversial book, Icardi retells a story from the 2014-2015 season. After a 3-1 defeat away to Sassuolo, Icardi , along with teammate Fredy Guarín, ventured over to face the Ultras that had travelled to see the game. During a heated exchange, he handed over his shirt, only to have it thrown back at him. Icardi was seen cursing at members of the crowd, but after heading down the tunnel later returned for a more civil dialogue alongside more of his team-mates.

The situation had been consigned to history when it resurface in his book. Icardi claimed the shirt had been ripped away from a child, and that his teammates subsequently saw him as a hero for standing up to the Ultras. “How many of them are there? Fifty? A hundred? Two hundred?” he writes in his book. “OK, record my message and let them hear it. I will bring 100 criminals from Argentina who will kill them on the spot.”

Mauro Icardi: Has scored or assisted 8 of Inter’s 9 league goals this season #RomaInter

Unsurprisingly, the Ultras responded to his words with fury. Releasing a statement, they then orchestrated a banner that took aim at Icardi’s character, and ultimately called him a coward for making up the story. Clearly still angry, the Curva Nord booed their captain during a 2-1 loss to Cagliari, only stopping to cheer one of his contributions – a missed penalty in the 26^th minute. Granted, some fans remained on his side and attempted to drown out the booing with cheers, but it was clear he had offended a key portion of the club’s support.

Vice President Javier Zanetti promptly confirmed the striker would be punished, and Icardi wrote an apology to the club’s supporters. While many may see the situation as concluded, it is likely far from over. Inter suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Atalanta at the weekend, and some argue it will be nigh impossible for the bridges to be repaired between the Icardi and the Ultras.

That in turn should alert Wenger. There was talk in the summer that the club were preparing a bid of around £30million plus Giroud to tempt Inter’s hand. That was before the falling out with the Ultras, and before Icardi signed a long-term extension until the end of the 2021 season. Then seen as part of the club’s future, there is now a chance that Inter see an opportunity to cash in on a player that has brought as many bad headlines to the club as he has good.

When on the field though, it is hard to ignore Icardi’s ability. The forward has averaged a goal once every 135 minutes this season, which is an improvement on his average from last season of 162 minutes. He also boasts a 25% conversion rate, which is the second best of players to score 10+ Serie A goals since the start of last season – with only Milan’s Carlos Bacca ahead of him.

Still only 23-years-old, there is also likely time for him to improve. At 19 he was preparing for his first game in Serie A, and was made Inter’s captain at a young age. While he may not boast significant height, he still holds an aerial presence. No player has scored more headed goals than him (5) in Serie A since the start of last season, while his predatory instincts inside the box also makes him an appealing option. Icardi has scored the third most goals from inside the box (21) in Serie A since the start of last season, with only Bacca and compatriot Gonzalo Higuain ahead of him (source, Whoscored.com).

Mauro Icardi: No player has scored or assisted more goals in Serie A this season than Icardi (7) #fcim pic.twitter.com/reSKPfN2Ak

Currently the joint second highest scorer in Serie A, (admittedly he shares that accolade with four other players) he has produced a better conversion rate this season than top scorer Edin Dzeko, while only being marginally behind Higuain. When you consider that his compatriot cost Juventus a staggering € 90million, the investment on Icardi seems a smart piece of business.

Presenting Wenger an opportunistic moment to improve his squad in the final third, he would be wise to give Icardi consideration ahead of the January window. A sizeable outlay, (transfermarkt.com values the player at £34million) his potential purchase is the kind of improvement that could push the Gunners from title contenders to title winners.