Arsenal have been strongly linked with Juventus Alvaro Morata, but is he the striker theyre looking for? The clock was ticking towards a penalty shoot-out when Massimiliano Allegri signalled to the hunched figure sitting restlessly on the Juventus bench. Twelve minutes remained to break AC Milans resistance in a dour Coppa Italia final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. In the end, Alvaro Morata only needed two.One hundred and twenty-two seconds after jogging onto the pitch in place of midfielder Hernanes, Morata swept Juan Cuadrados cross into the net with his first touch. The goal clinched an historic second consecutive domestic double for Juventus, and it further enhanced the Spaniards reputation as a big-game specialist. Since joining the Old Lady last season, Morata has scored in both legs of a Champions League semi-final against boyhood club Real Madrid. He has scored in a Champions League final against Barcelona. He has scored decisive goals against Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and Inter Milan. And he has now scored the winner in a Coppa Italia final. Morata tired of speculation Alvaro Morata admits he is tired of speculation linking him with a return to Real Madrid. It is likely to be his last contribution for Juventus. Real Madrid have the option to activate a buy-back clause to take the striker back to the Bernabeu this summer, but the strongest interest appears to have come from Arsenal. This week the 23-year-old revealed he has received tempting offers from England, and newspaper reports put him at the top of Arsene Wengers wishlist. Watch Alvaro Moratas winning goal in the Coppa Italia final So is he the answer to Arsenals striker conundrum? Morata seems to think so. I think my characteristics mean the Premier League would be a great destination, he told Spanish newspaper AS after his call-up for the Euros. His pace and technical skill are certainly well-suited to Arsenal, and his clinical winner at the Stadio Olimpico last Saturday was a timely reminder of his finishing ability - as was his double for Spain against South Korea on Wednesday.But perhaps his next comment was more revealing. With what I have learned in Italy, if I have the chance to learn something more in England I think it would make me a more complete player, he said. By his own admission, Morata is still learning. His big-game heroics have raised his profile and sent his price-tag north of £30m, but they mask modest experience and an unremarkable overall scoring record. Morata tempted by PL Arsenal target Alvaro Morata admits he is tempted by a move to the Premier League. Since his debut in 2010, Morata has made just 35 La Liga and Serie A starts with Real Madrid and Juventus, and he has never reached double figures for goals in a single league campaign. Last year he found himself behind Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente in Allegris pecking order. This year it was Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic.Moratas total of 12 goals in 47 appearances in 2015/16 came at a rate of one every 196 minutes. Its a long way short of the elite, and while the much-maligned Olivier Giroud might not be the striker to take Arsenal to the next level, he did at least average a goal every 140 minutes. Morata v Giroud 2015/16 Player Mins played Goals Mins per goal Alvaro Morata 2348 12 196 Olivier Giroud 3360 24 140 It highlights the scale of what is expected at the Emirates Stadium. No Arsenal striker has hit over 20 Premier League goals since Robin van Persie in 2011/12, and Wenger has made pointed references to the issue in recent months. We dont have anybody with 20 goals in the league, so that is a handicap, he told Sky Sports in April.It raises questions of Moratas suitability. His potential is considerable and his knack for delivering as an impact player in big games is undoubtedly appealing, but Arsenal have more pressing requirements. The Gunners created more clear-cut chances (88) than any other Premier League side over the course of the season, but their profligacy cost them in games against Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Norwich and West Brom to name a few. Morata will feature for Vicente del Bosques Spain at Euro 2016 Its not just a big-game specialist they need, its a consistent goalscorer. Its less than two months since Wenger pinpointed poor results against the Premier Leagues so-called smaller sides as the reason Arsenal fell short of the title, but Morata would need to drastically increase his output to meet the level the Gunners require.Wenger has always maintained that the pool of ready-made strikers who could instantly improve Arsenal is a shallow one, and he might also point to his proud record for developing striking talent. Nicolas Anelka, Thierry Henry, Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie have blossomed under his guidance, so why shouldnt Morata be next?It is a reasonable argument, but the real question is whether Arsenal can afford another gamble. Patience is wearing thin at the Emirates Stadium, and supporters have little appetite for another project as Wenger enters the final year of his contract. Arsenal are operating in the here and now. The hero of the Coppa Italia would meet very different expectations in north London. Also See: Xhaka exit a huge blow Deschamps: Giroud boos unfair Stitched Minnesota Vikings Jerseys . Specifically, thumbs up to the Canadian-based teams in the NHL, or at least most of them. Minnesota Vikings Garrett Bradbury Jersey .Patterson marked his anniversary by proving his worth — once again.Lou Williams poured in 26 points, and Patterson drained two huge three-pointers late in the fourth quarter, as the Raptors topped the Denver Nuggets 112-107 in overtime Monday. http://www.cheapvikings.com/.com) - Tony Parker scored 17 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a comfortable 99-85 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. Minnesota Vikings Dru Samia Jersey . Robert Griffin III, the No. 2 pick in the 2012 draft, set numerous rookie records and was picked AP Offensive Rookie of the Year for the Washington Redskins. Discount Minnesota Vikings Jerseys . Brazilian striker Brandao opened the scoring with a header in the 55th minute before winger Franck Tabanou volleyed home from close range to double the lead in the 61st.HOUSTON -- When Lance Lynn began to struggle with his control, the Houston Astros made the most of the opportunity. Erik Bedard pitched six effective innings and the Astros used a four-run fourth to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 on Wednesday night. "That was huge for us to capitalize on that inning and really maximize that situation," said Jason Castro, who singled and scored in the rally. Bedard (3-3) allowed seven hits and walked one, but limited St. Louis to three runs. Josh Fields, Wesley Wright and Jose Cisnero then combined to pitch two hitless innings before Jose Veras worked the ninth for his 16th save. Veras yielded a one-out single to Jon Jay and then walked Matt Adams, but pinch hitter Daniel Descalso struck out and Matt Carpenter flied out to end the game. "They did a tremendous job," Houston manager Bo Porter said of his relievers. "Veras ran into a little bit of trouble but was able to make the necessary pitches in the ninth to get out of it and close it out." Allen Craig homered for the second straight night and Yadier Molina had a two-run shot for the Cardinals, who lost for the fourth time in five games. They dropped into a tie with surging Pittsburgh for the lead in the NL Central. Lynn (10-2) allowed five hits, walked four and struck out four over 7 2-3 innings for his first loss in four career starts in Houston. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said it looked as if Lynn lost his rhythm in the fourth. "It wasnt a good inning," Lynn said. "The hits werent the problem -- it was the walks. When you walk people, you get yourself in trouble, and thats what happened. I just didnt throw strikes." Molina and Craig helped the Cardinals get off to a nice start. Molina followed Carpenters leadoff single in the first with a drive to the Crawford Boxes in left field for his sixth homer. Craig had a leadoff drive in the fourth that bounced off the lights atop the wall in left field, extending the lead to 3-0. But Houston responded in the bottom half. Jose Altuve and Castro got it started with back-to-back singles for the Astros first hits of the game. Lynn then walked Chris Carter on four pitches to load the bases before sending a run home when he also walked Carlos Pena on four pitches. Carter leads the majors with 108 strikeouts this season, but Porter was impressed with his patience in the big inning. "His at-bats have gotten extremely disciplined from a standpoint of hes attacking the pitches that he should attack -- not expanding (the zonee) as often as he was earlier in the year, and hes putting together some really good at-bats," Porter said.dddddddddddd Castro came home when J.D. Martinez grounded into a fielders choice, and Brett Wallace then hit a tying RBI single. After another fielders choice, Brandon Barnes singled in Wallace to give Houston the lead for good. The Astros threatened again in the fifth, putting two runners on with two out, but Lynn retired Martinez to end the inning. That was the first of eight straight batters retired by Lynn, who began the day with a 3-0 record and a 2.00 ERA in three games in Houston. Fields retired the first two St. Louis batters in the seventh before left-hander Wright struck out Carpenter. Cisnero faced the heart of the Cardinals order in the eighth. He got Molina on a groundout before walking Carlos Beltran. He then struck out Craig and Matt Holliday to finish the inning. "That was one of those situations where he pretty much just bulled his neck and said: Im going to throw my best against anybody that steps in the box, and he was able to get it done," Porter said of Cisnero. "I felt like his fastball had really good life, and he actually pumped it up the last couple at 95." NOTES: Molina played first base for the second time in his career and the first since 2008. Matheny said Molina could "probably play just about anywhere on the infield." He said playing him at first base is a good way to give his legs a rest. "Hes caught more innings than any other catcher," Matheny said. "His body has been able to handle it so far, but its going to be a tough task. Were not trying to set any records here, were just reading his body and days like this are going to be able to keep one of the top bats in baseball in the lineup while not beating him up behind the plate." ... Both teams are off Thursday. Houston then begins a series with the Angels and St. Louis starts one at Oakland. ... The Cardinals activated RHP Fernando Salas (right shoulder) from the 15-day disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A Memphis. ... Houston RF Justin Maxwell, who got a mild concussion when he hit his head on the ground attempting to make a diving catch on Tuesday, passed his concussion tests on Wednesday. He should be ready to play when the Astros start their series with the Angels Friday. ... Houston RHP Ross Seaton cleared waivers and was outrighted to Double-A Corpus Christi. LHP Wade LeBlanc also cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Oklahoma City. 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