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Jackson Martinez: Should Arsenal sign Porto striker?

Image: Porto striker Jackson Martinez

Despite seeming set on a move to AC Milan towards the end of last week, Jackson Martinez has admitted that his future is still up in the air - and a switch to the Premier League could still be a possibility.

Martinez is currently on international duty with Colombia at the Copa America, but that has not slowed down talk of a switch away from Porto this summer. 

The striker has previously admitted a childhood soft spot for the Gunners, while Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger sparked rumours of an interest back in February when he said: "(Martinez) could play in the Premier League because he has the body to make the difference. He's on the list of many clubs."

Here, we take a closer look at the striker and assess whether he would be a good addition for Arsenal.

Factfile

Name: Jackson Martinez

Age: 28

Position: Striker

Club: Porto

Nation: Colombia 

World Cup misery

Martinez didn't even start Colombia's first two games at last summer's World Cup.

Teofilo Gutierrez, a man with just 16 league appearances in Europe (and that was in Turkey), was preferred up front for their opener against Greece and boss Jose Pekerman's decision was justified as the 29-year-old scored in a 3-0 romp.

Brought on late in the first, Martinez didn't even make it off the bench for Colombia's second Group C game - a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast - but he did start their third - albeit with qualification already assured- scoring twice in a 4-1 drubbing of Japan.

CUIABA, BRAZIL - JUNE 24:  Jackson Martinez of Colombia shoots and scores his team's third goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group C match between
Image: Martinez of Colombia scoring during their 4-1 win over Japan in last summer's World Cup

Martinez retained his place for their second-round win over Uruguay, but again he was an unused substitute as they crashed out to Brazil in the quarter-final.

In the end, the man tipped to replace the injured Radamel Falcao as Colombia's talisman was not even turned to at the most desperate of times.

Impressive campaign

A big-money move away from Porto subsequently failed to transpire last summer.

But 32 goals in 41 games for the club this season, including eight in 10 during their run to the Champions League quarter-finals, have placed him very much back in the shop window.

His career stats with Porto are impressive, too - since replacing Falcao, who had left for Atletico Madrid a season earlier, Martinez has flourished, scoring 92 goals in 132 games in all competitions.

Porto's Jackson Martinez (right) scores a goal during the UEFA Champions League quarter final
Image: Porto's Martinez (right) scores a goal during the UEFA Champions League quarter final clash with Bayern Munich

Last week, it seemed certain he would join AC Milan, but Martinez quickly moved to dispel such suggestions, insisting he has not made his mind up yet.

"I'm as close to Milan as I am to other clubs," he told Portuguese newspaper A Bola. "I will decide my future in the next few days."

His agent, Luis Henrique Pompeo, reiterated that "nothing had been decided" and Martinez has spoken before of an interest in the Premier League.

"Where would I like to play?" he said to La Gazzetta dello Sport less than a year after arriving in Portugal. "When I was a child I rooted for Chelsea and Arsenal.

Colombia's forward Jackson Martinez and Venezuela's defender Oswaldo Vizcarrondo
Image: Colombia's forward Martinez (left) and Venezuela's defender Oswaldo Vizcarrondo

"I think the best championships are La Liga, the Premier League and Bundesliga, which has grown much in recent years. But I also really like Serie A and have many friends in Italy."

He has also said about the Gunners: "When I was a kid, I cheered for Arsenal. I love their style of play, it is flowing and open, with a lot of first touch passes. It would be suitable for a player like me. If I get an opportunity to play for a high level Premier league club such as Arsenal, I wouldn’t hesitate to accept it.”

Would he be good for the Gunners?

A move to AC Milan would surely improve the San Siro club in their current state. Jeremy Menez was their top scorer last season with 16 in all competitions, while no other player managed more than seven.

At Arsenal, however, it is less than certain. Is he really a better player than Olivier Giroud? And would his arrival stifle the possibility of Theo Walcott finally turning into the striker he has been promising to be for nearly a decade?

Roberto Soldado and Falcao are two recent examples of strikers in their late 20s who have struggled after moving to the Premier League from the continent.  

Colombia's forward Radamel Falcao (L) vies for the ball with Venezuelan Ronald Vargas (R)
Image: Colombia's forward Radamel Falcao (left) vies for the ball with Venezuelan Ronald Vargas during their 2015 Copa America opener on Sunday

Martinez is currently away with Colombia at the Copa America, and came on as a late substitute in their shock opening 1-0 defeat against Venezuela on Sunday night.

But the previous displays of a man who loves to play on the shoulder of the defence have certainly caught Wenger's eye.

"[He has] top physical strengths," Wenger added about Martinez earlier in the year. "Hugely efficient, he is the kind of player who can make room for himself in the box.

'He could play in the Premier League because he has the body to make the difference. He uses it in a very intelligent way. Very short back lift and he's a very good finisher."

It remains to be seen whether Wenger would be prepared to meet a reported £25m buy-out clause for a man not guaranteed a start for his country. 

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