Real Madrid Starlet Reportedly Joining Arsenal in January

Posted Tuesday, December 03, 2013 by YAHOO Sport

COMMENTARY | According to Spanish radio station Onda Cero, Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata has agreed to join Arsenal next month on a six-month loan deal. The 21-year-old Morata has made 12 total appearances for Madrid this season, including two Champions League matches. Morata apparently chose to join the Gunners over their north London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur.

The Spanish U-21 international reportedly wants a temporary move to the Premier League to help secure a roster spot in the senior Spanish national team for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in the summer. Although Morata has made 12 appearances for Madrid this season, he has only started a match once (a La Liga home win against Malaga).

Prior to this season, Morata spent the majority of the three previous seasons with Real Madrid's B team. In these three seasons, Morata scored 45 goals in 83 total appearances with the club. The 6'3" striker has also tallied 12 goals in 11 matches with the U-21 Spanish international squad. During the U-21 European Championship this past summer, Morata guided Spain to win the tournament by scoring the most goals in the tournament (with 4), and securing a place in the team of the tournament.

Morata is seen as a comparable back-up option for Arsenal's first choice center forward, Olivier Giroud. Much like Giroud, Morata is tall, skillful in the air, and is good at holding up the ball, allowing teammates to push forward. Arsenal's current second choice center forward, Nicklas Bendtner has recently voiced his frustrations with the club and is most likely set to leave the club after spending nearly nine years in north London.

Although Morata will reportedly only join the Gunners in a loan deal, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has had a very successful history developing young players into stars. In this particular case, the Spanish striker is already one of the most sought-after youngsters in Europe.

Christopher Moore has been following Arsenal Football Club for over 10 years.