Is Julian Draxler this window's Gonzalo Higuain for Arsenal

Article by e-Arsenal Correspondent Chrishen Mootoosamy

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After the drawn out, will he wont he sign, affair of the summer's transfer window regarding Gonzalo Higuain, will this be the case with Julian Draxler in this window? Prior to Higuain signing for Napoli, Arsenal fans had been convinced by media speculation that he was consistently about to sign any day now during the summer, only for him to eventually end up in Naples. Arsenal did not once enter in to any speculation (as is the Arsenal way), and Higuain himself has recently stated that there was no contact with Arsenal in the summer. During the current transfer window, Arsene Wenger has continually denied a move for the talented German youngster is in the offing, as was the case with Higuain in the summer, but seems to be cautiously hinting that he is interested in doing some business this winter. This all sounds a bit familiar. Does Arsene Wenger have a superstar signing up his sleeve a la Mesut Ozil? And if so, who is available this winter?

The position Arsenal are most notably short in is in the striker role, as stated by Wenger himself. The marquee forward players in world football currently would be Radamel Falcao, Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez, Sergio Aguero and Diego Costa. Out of these names the only players that may be obtainable would be Edinson Cavani or Diego Costa ( This list may have included Falcao if it was not for the terrible injury that he has recently suffered). So what are the chances of one of these players wearing the red and white of Arsenal after the window closes?

Edinson Cavani, although getting more and more games at PSG, is growing increasingly frustrated by the ego battle at his club with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with the Swedish striker seeming to be coming out on top in this battle, and performing to a standard where he can not be dropped. Harmony may prevail, but Ibrahimovic is not the kind of personality who likes sharing the limelight, and likes being the 'main man' wherever he plays. Playing in Ligue 1 is also not the same as playing in the Premier League, with most players wanting to eventually experience the glamour of the Premier League at some point. Edinson Cavani may be available for no more than £50-65 million.

Diego Costa would be another attractive player to Arsenal. In a rich vein of form at the moment for Atletico Madrid and wanting to fight for a starting place for Spain in the World Cup, he may be tempted to prove himself in the league where his main competitors for a starting place for Spain are currently playing (Negredo and Soldado). He also plays in a league that only 2 clubs, year in year out, seem to have any chance of winning the title. His current club may currently hold 2nd place in the league, and are on the same points as leaders Barcelona, but with their arch rivals Real Madrid only 1 point behind, if Atletico Madrid do not win the title this season, it is hard to see them mounting a similar challenge next season, with the financial muscle both Real and Barcelona will surely apply in the summer. He is a 'heart on your sleeve' kind of footballer, and has the technique and quality to match. Costa is a player that would add the extra firepower that may help Arsenal end their trophy less run this season. Reports suggest that he has a release clause in his contract at around £32-35 million.

Until deadline day of the summer's transfer window it was inconceivable that Arsenal would have had a chance of signing a player with the global reputation of Mesut Ozil. Is there another Ozilesque signing about to happen on deadline day, or will the media be correct and Julian Draxler be an Arsenal player come Saturday?"

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