Forget Jackson Martinez, here’s the Porto striker Arsenal must sign
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Jackson Martinez is a striker that needs no introduction to Arsenal fans.
Porto’s top scorer with 26 goals in 31 games already this season, the 28-year-old has proven prolific throughout his time in Portugal, racking up 86 goals in 122 appearances.
The clamour to sign the Colombian is not simply down to his goals-to-games ratio either, with the South American also developing something of a habit for netting in spectacular fashion.
Recruited as a direct replacement for Radamel Falcao back in the summer of 2012, the striker has excelled ever since and has even taken his goalscoring form into European competition.
A tally of six goals in seven Champions League outings is impressive enough but anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of the former Chiapas hotshot in action against Basel may be left disappointed.
That’s because Martinez is currently a major doubt for the match, with the striker likely to miss out with a groin injury.
And after Olivier Giroud’s horror show against Monaco in the same competition, the news is a blow to Arsenal, who may have been hoping to take a closer look at the in-demand attacker this week.
Yet Martinez’s loss could be another man’s gain with the forward likely to replace the Colombian something of a special talent himself.
Vincent Aboubakar may not be the same household name with reels and reels of YouTube highlights to back up his talent but the 23-year-old remains a real prospect for the future.
Signed from Lorient by Porto for a bargain €3 million last summer, the Cameroon international has looked impressive in the few games in which he has featured.
Already a Champions League goalscorer after netting against Shakhtar Donetsk – the team that held Bayern Munich to a 0-0 draw last time out in the competition – it’s Aboubakar’s exploits in Ligue 1 that best showcase his talent.
Turning out for unfashionable Lorient last term, the Cameroonian scored 17 goals in 37 games.
Part of the Indomitable Lions squad that went to both the 2010 and 2014 World Cup, the striker has already been billed as the new Samuel Eto’o.
However that fails to do justice to Aboubakar’s own unique attributes.
A powerful penalty area presence, the 23-year-old is as confident dribbling with the ball at his feet as he is in the air.
Capable of creating chances out of thin air and finishing off moves like an experienced goal-poacher, Aboubakar has all the necessary attributes to thrive in the Premier League.
Impress against Basel and he may get a chance to do just that, potentially with Arsenal, sooner rather than later.
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