Mario Gomez: Arsenal Renew Interest in £9M Bundesliga Star Striker

Reports in the German media suggest Arsenal have reopened their interest in Stuttgart’s Mario Gomez in view to a bid this summer. The 6 ft 2 international had been the subject of interest from both Arsenal and Man City last summer with the Gunners unsure whether Emmanuel Adebayor would remain with the club. The Togolese star finally agreed to stay though once again his future is uncertain after a poor season with Gomez a possible candidate to replace him in the Arsenal attack.

The 23-year-old Stuttgart forward burst onto the international scene with 6 goals in 15 caps including scoring his debut a 3-1 win over Switzerland in February 2007. However, Gomez failed to impress alongside Klose in the German assault on Euro 2008 and did not live up to his pre-tournament billing as one of the expected stars of the competition. His record now reads 6 goals in 23 caps and he has come in for criticism from the German press for his international goal drought although Gomez continues to score regularly for his club.

He has represented his country at every level from U17 despite his father being Spanish and his mother German. He’s only ever played his club football for Stuttgart’s amateur side as well as their first team.

The striker has only really proved himself at Bundesliga level in the past 3 seasons. He scored 14 goals in 25 League games (22 starts) in the 2006/07 season as Stuttgart won the League title in only his 2nd full campaign with the first team. In fact, his scoring record is superb for such a young player after scoring 21 goals in 43 League games for Stuttgart’s 2nd team and 58 goals in 118 League games (80 starts) for the first team.

Last season the forward scored an astonishing 19 goals in 25 League games (23 starts) and this season he has scored 19 goals in 29 League appearances (28 starts). Only two players have scored more than Gomez this season in the Bundesliga. At 6 ft 2, Gomez is built to be a success in the English Premier League with both his strength and power.

Gomez won the 2007 German Footballer of the Year award but apart from the Bundesliga title in the same year he has yet to win any further trophies. This season Stuttgart are currently fourth but 5 points behind leaders Wolfsburg with just 4 games to go.

Bundesliga Star on His Way to the Emirates?The German star was expected to move to Bayern Munich last summer but after his disappointing showing at Euro 2008, the German Champions pulled out of the deal. However, Gomez may still get a big money move to the Emirates with a price tag of £9-10m expected.

So have you been impressed with Gomez? Do you regard his failure to shine at Euro 2008 as an indication he would struggle in England? Do you think he would be a good replacement if Arsenal sold Adebayor? Let’s hear your views.