FC Porto forward Jackson Martinez can 'fit' at Arsenal says Thierry Henry
FC Porto striker Jackson Martinez would fit well at Arsenal but the club should re-think proceeding with a deal with Olivier Giroud in reserve, according to Gunners legend Thierry Henry.
The back-to-back FA Cup winners are among the clubs the Colombia international is understood to be considering a move to this summer, according to The Daily Telegraph, while the 28-year-old has denied he has agreed to join Italian giants AC Milan.
Martinez scored 21 league goals last season and is among the most feared forwards in Europe but Henry says that with Giroud already leading the Arsenal attack, manager Arsene Wenger should reconsider a move for the Porto forward.
"[Jackson Martinez] can be a good fit," Henry told reporters at a launch for Arsenal's new Puma kit. "But you already have the likes of Giroud who looks a bit like him as a striker in the way they play, with their back to the goal.
"He can be a good addition. He had a good season in the Champions League but you have guys already.
"I think Giroud is more or less the same type of guy. I guess maybe Martinez is a bit more powerful and can run a bit more in behind but we'll see what Arsene's going to do. Overall the Arsenal strikers didn't do badly this season."
The praise from Henry for Giroud is a significant climb-down from Arsenal's record goalscorer, who had said the club have little or no chance of winning the Premier League title with him leading the line.
Giroud netted 14 goals in 21 league starts for Arsenal last season and despite playing a role in the club qualifying for the Champions League and retaining the FA Cup, Henry felt the France international was unable to help the club make the next step.
"I think Giroud is doing extremely well. But can you win the league with him? I wouldn't think so," he told Sky Sports in April. "He does a job, and he does it ever so well, but you can't win the league.
"Arsenal were at the top of the league last season, but everyone was saying they are not going win the league.
"If I'm a player there, I would be: 'Hang on a minute, I'm at the top of the league right now.' But people were still saying it. Players need to step their game up."
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