Arsenal Shouldn’t Care About Being Julian Alvarez’s Second Choice – Opinion

Some Gooners remain divided about the prospect of Julian Alvarez becoming a Gooner this summer.

While the potential transfer fee is enough to put some supporters off, another issue appears to be bothering sections of our fanbase: they don’t want Arsenal being anyone’s sloppy seconds.

But should it really matter if Arsenal were not Alvarez’s first choice?

Alvarez Has Made His Preference Clear

No one can accuse the Argentine of not making it clear what he wants for his future publicly, telling the media during the World Cup that Barcelona would be his dream.

Atletico Madrid feel disrespected by how open he was to the press, although they themselves have not exactly negotiated in the most professional manner, using social media to tell the world they have laughed away bids from the Spanish champions as well as Real Madrid.

To clarify, it’s not like those offers were not for large sums of money. The figure is not an issue, but rather a desire to no longer be pushed around by Spain’s big two.

A section of home supporters at the Metropolitano made it clear on Sunday they don’t want to force someone to wear their shirt if he thinks the grass is greener, booing the 26-year-old every time he touched the ball.

Unless he can have a heart-to-heart with Diego Simeone, remaining in the Spanish capital would be unlikely unless he apologised.

So the Gunners are not his first option, but it’s being reported he’s becoming more and more receptive to a move to North London as he accepts his ideal choice is not on the table.

For some of my peers, they don’t find that acceptable.

They don’t want the Premiership winners to be seen as a stepping stone.

The fear is we invest a lot in an asset who, in a couple of years, is flirting with a move to Barcelona again. If, though, we have more trophies in our cabinet, then do the ends justify the means?

Sources are saying Viktor Gyokeres could be available for the right price just one year after the Swede did everything to force an exit from Portugal, so loyalty works both ways.

It’s called a business.

Football Is a Career

This, though, is where I’m going to upset some readers!

Whisper it quietly; the majority of Mikel Arteta’s squad didn’t sign for him because they grew up dreaming of being a Gunner. They chose a workplace that matched their ambition but ultimately who paid them the most.

That’s not to say over time an individual doesn’t form a bond and affection for their surroundings, like anyone does in their working environment. Yet football is no different from any other industry.

If you found a vacancy with a higher wage and personal growth, are you disloyal for applying?

If you’re not successful, does that mean your professionalism should be questioned if you end up at another job that wasn’t on top of your shortlist?

That’s the accusation against Alvarez, that he wouldn’t be motivated in the English capital.

To clarify, he’s not being forced on a plane against his will. If he signs a contract with us, it means he wanted to. It means he considered us the best move for his career, and that’s what this is: a career.

It would be naive to think there will be current members of our dressing room who don’t have aspirations to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona. Yet you wouldn’t question any of their integrity.

Should Alvarez be any different just because he’s been honest about his wishes?

Sergio Aguero once famously was unhappy that he had a move across the Spanish capital blocked. That didn’t stop him from scoring goals and winning medals at Man City. There are other examples I can name.

The Spanish media, though, must love Arsenal at the moment as we continue to give journalists easy headlines to write.

After the Vinicius Jr. contract situation, we are now part of another saga in another part of Madrid.

Dan Smith

Would you be happy for Arsenal to sign Julian Alvarez even if Barcelona were his preferred destination, or should the Premier League champions only pursue players who see Arsenal as their first choice? Let us know in the comments.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
ADMIN COMMENT

So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….

You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.

CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…

The post Arsenal Shouldn’t Care About Being Julian Alvarez’s Second Choice – Opinion appeared first on Just Arsenal News.