Arsenal intent on separating Watford’s deadly duo in January
Published:
Arsenal’s bid to secure a first Premier League title in over a decade may yet involve a January transfer many would have been carted off to the asylum for suggesting before the outset of this most unusual of seasons.
The Tuesday morning gossip columns present the idea that Arsene Wenger may have succumbed to the charms of a good old fashioned English centre-forward.
Watford fans will be distraught to learn that the subject of this speculation is their skipper and goalscoring force, Troy Deeney.
Having fired the Hornets to promotion last season alongside Odion Ighalo, together the strikers have made light work of the step-up in division, becoming arguably the most feared front two in the 2015/16 Premier League .
Only Leicester and Everton’s more unorthodox partnerships featuring Foxes centre-forward Jamie Vardy (15) and winger Riyad Mahrez (13), and Toffees top scorer Romelu Lukaku (15) and midfield playmaker Ross Barkley (6), have been more prolific in tandem than Watford’s awesome twosome.
Nigerian international Ighalo is just one off Vardy’s top-flight pace, while Deeney has netted six, but the Englishman’s vision in directly assisting five of his partner’s goals has correctly ensured the Vicarage Road limelight is being shared.
For manager Quique Sanchez Flores and everyone involved with the Hornets, it’s unthinkable that their most complementary attack in a generation be prised apart mid-season.
However, in order to get Arsenal safely over the Premier League-winning line, Wenger is clearly ready to take necessary measures, which, according to the Daily Star at least, could mean taking the 27-year-old to the Emirates.
Given the Gunners’ reliance on top scorer Olivier Giroud, who is just into double figures for league goals, providing a viable backup to the Frenchman is certainly an area of concern for Wenger, especially given the length of Danny Welbeck’s lay-off.
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