Jackson Martinez got off the mark for Colombia against Japan, showing just why Arsenal are among those keen on his signature.
Radamel Falcao’s injury was supposed to clear the path for Porto striker Jackson Martinez to shine at the World Cup for Colombia, but he was still reduced to a bit-part role in their opening games.
The forward was benched with River Plater veteran Teo Gutierrez preferred, but with Colombia already qualified, Martinez was handed an opportunity.
It was one he seized with both hands, scoring twice in a 4-1 victory over Japan, staking a major claim to start the upcoming second round clash with Uruguay.
Martinez has a release clause at €40 million, and has been heavily linked with a transfer to Arsenal, with Chelsea also more loosely linked, along with Spanish sides Valencia, Atletico Madrid, and interest from Serie A.
His brace puts him still two shy of tournament top scorer Neymar, but when it comes to minutes per goal, and shot accuracy, how does he compare to a number of top strikers at the World Cup?
| Team | Pos | mins / Goals | Goals % from Total Shots | % of Total Shots on Target | Apps | Mins | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miroslav Klose | Germany | FW | 21.00 | 50.00 | 50.00 | 1 | 21 |
| Jackson Martinez | Colombia | FW | 52.00 | 50.00 | 50.00 | 2 | 104 |
| Robin van Persie | Netherlands | FW | 55.33 | 37.50 | 75.00 | 2 | 166 |
| David Villa | Spain | FW | 57.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 1 | 57 |
| Karim Benzema | France | FW | 60.00 | 20.00 | 53.33 | 2 | 180 |
| Olivier Giroud | France | FW | 75.00 | 25.00 | 25.00 | 2 | 75 |
| Luis Suarez | Uruguay | FW | 89.00 | 25.00 | 37.50 | 2 | 178 |
| Wayne Rooney | England | FW | 194.00 | 12.50 | 37.50 | 3 | 194 |
| Mario Balotelli | Italy | FW | 208.00 | 12.50 | 37.50 | 3 | 208 |
| Joel Campbell | Costa Rica | FW | 229.00 | 20.00 | 20.00 | 3 | 229 |
| Daniel Sturridge | England | FW | 260.00 | 8.33 | 41.67 | 3 | 260 |
Martinez demonstrated his ruthless finishing against Japan, with his average of a goal every 52 minutes far superior to another Arsenal strike option, Mario Balotelli (208).
He also edges Manchester United’s Robin van Persie, and Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud. Costa Rica’s Joel Campbell, another Gunner, also trails badly after failing to score since his opening game.
Martinez has scored with every shot he has landed on target in the competition, which is 50 per cent of his total efforts. This is a feat Olivier Giroud has managed, but he has landed only 25 per cent of his efforts on goal.
Sadly for Arsenal, Giroud and Campbell possess the lowest percentage of shots on target of all the strikers listed above, with Giroud’s overall season statistics last season in the Premier League only marginally better at 34% on target.
Adding a striker like Martinez will spur on greater competition for the Gunners, and while he would cost more than Mario Balotelli and be four years older at 27 to 23, he has already achieved more than the Italian in exactly half the time of football at this World Cup – and is likely to go on to cause further damage.
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