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Arsenal should sign Porto star Hulk says Luis Boa Morte
Winger predicts Brazilian striker would be a big hit at the Emirates
15 Feb 2010 09:00:00
EXCLUSIVE
By Matthew Weiner | Arsenal Correspondent
Forget Marouane Chamakh, Arsene Wenger need look no further than his next Champions League opponents if wants to sign a top class striker this summer.
That's the view of Portuguese ex-Gunner Luis Boa Morte, 32, who said in an exclusive interview with Goal.com UK, that the powerful Porto star Hulk is just the man to bang them in at the Emirates.
Hulk, whose real name is Givanildo Vieira de Souza, was given the unusual moniker because of his physical similarity to the comic book character The Incredible Hulk - and Boa Morte, now of West Ham United, believes his former club could do with such a superhero up front.
“Arsenal should sign Hulk,” says Boa Morte, who began his career at Sporting Clube de Portugal before joining Arsenal in 1997.
“He’s a powerhouse. Very strong going forward, he has good technique, great pace and can really strike the ball.”
The 23-year-old attacker gave Manchester United a hard time when they faced Porto in Europe last season and has so far scored three goals in six Champions League appearances this year. It is these stellar performances which show precisely why Brazil head coach Dunga gave him his first call-up last November.
But it’s not only Hulk that Arsenal’s defenders will have to keep a keen eye out for on Wednesday at the Estadio do Dragao. Porto’s whole front line are formidable, believes Boa Morte.
“At the moment, Porto’s front three are playing very well,” says the Portuguese international. “Hulk has been excellent on one wing and on the other is [Silvestre] Varela who has been the main player for them in the league. He’s technically very good, always looks to take on a player and loves the smell of the goal.”
The third man capable of picking holes in the Gunners' defence is 24-year-old Colombian striker Falcao. A deadly penalty area predator who signed from River Plate last summer, he has already scored 20 goals this term. “He’s a fantastic finisher,” says Boa Morte.
It should be a gripping encounter but who does the West Ham man think will come out on top on Wednesday? “Arsenal have a much younger side with much less experience than when I played there between 1997-1999,” he says.
“But they are really strong going forward and are hard to defend against. They’ve had some bad results lately but ultimately I think the Champions League will be a good break for them.”
By Matthew Weiner | Arsenal Correspondent
Forget Marouane Chamakh, Arsene Wenger need look no further than his next Champions League opponents if wants to sign a top class striker this summer.
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That's the view of Portuguese ex-Gunner Luis Boa Morte, 32, who said in an exclusive interview with Goal.com UK, that the powerful Porto star Hulk is just the man to bang them in at the Emirates.
Hulk, whose real name is Givanildo Vieira de Souza, was given the unusual moniker because of his physical similarity to the comic book character The Incredible Hulk - and Boa Morte, now of West Ham United, believes his former club could do with such a superhero up front.
“Arsenal should sign Hulk,” says Boa Morte, who began his career at Sporting Clube de Portugal before joining Arsenal in 1997.
“He’s a powerhouse. Very strong going forward, he has good technique, great pace and can really strike the ball.”
The 23-year-old attacker gave Manchester United a hard time when they faced Porto in Europe last season and has so far scored three goals in six Champions League appearances this year. It is these stellar performances which show precisely why Brazil head coach Dunga gave him his first call-up last November.
Incredible | Hulk was called up for Brazil last year
But it’s not only Hulk that Arsenal’s defenders will have to keep a keen eye out for on Wednesday at the Estadio do Dragao. Porto’s whole front line are formidable, believes Boa Morte.
“At the moment, Porto’s front three are playing very well,” says the Portuguese international. “Hulk has been excellent on one wing and on the other is [Silvestre] Varela who has been the main player for them in the league. He’s technically very good, always looks to take on a player and loves the smell of the goal.”
The third man capable of picking holes in the Gunners' defence is 24-year-old Colombian striker Falcao. A deadly penalty area predator who signed from River Plate last summer, he has already scored 20 goals this term. “He’s a fantastic finisher,” says Boa Morte.
It should be a gripping encounter but who does the West Ham man think will come out on top on Wednesday? “Arsenal have a much younger side with much less experience than when I played there between 1997-1999,” he says.
“But they are really strong going forward and are hard to defend against. They’ve had some bad results lately but ultimately I think the Champions League will be a good break for them.”
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
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