In Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh, Arsene Wenger may just have pulled another rabbit out of the hat for Arsenal. The forward, who was brought in on a free transfer this summer has already caught the eye of Arsenal fans with some impressive pre-season performances, capped off with a goal against Italian giants AC Milan in the annual Emirates Cup. Although he has only yet been seen in friendlies, Arsenal supporters will be optimistic that Chamakh can carry this form into the coming season and help Arsenal challenge in the league and in Europe. Last term Arsenal lacked a striker whole scored regularly throughout the season. Whilst Robin van Persie is a quality player, he suffers badly from injury problems and last season was no different as the Dutchman endured a five month layoff from November to April. This was a huge blow to Arsenal; van Persie was in red hot form before the injury and he left a goal scoring hole behind him that no-one else could fill, who knows how the league season may have turned out differently if van Persie had remained fit throughout its duration. With the new signing of Marouane Chamakh though, Arsenal fans will be hoping that the club now has the firepower required to lift the league title.
At the start of last season not many Premier League fans would had heard of Marouane Chamakh. The French-born striker though, had already played a crucial role in Bordeaux’s 2008/09 title winning season. The Morocco international who qualifies through his parents, really caught the eye of fans in Europe during Bordeaux’s highly impressive 2009/10 Champions League campaign. The French outfit were drawn in a tough group with Juventus and Bayern Munich from which many did not expect them to qualify. However Bordeaux topped the group with ease, with Chamakh scoring goals against both Juventus and Bayern Munich. Chamakh continued his impressive form into the knockout rounds, where he scored three goals in two rounds as Bordeaux disposed of Olympiakos before succumbing to French rivals Lyon in the quarter finals. Arsenal were linked with a Bosman transfer for the player for a large part of last season and when he finally signed for the club in May many fans were delighted at the prospect of seeing him pull on the Arsenal jersey. So far at least, those fans have not been disappointed at what they have seen. The fact that Chamakh was also picked up on a free transfer, has made his acquisition even more satisfying.
Marouane Chamakh also fills a gap in the Arsenal team that many have thought has needed plugging. Whilst being technically good, Chamakh has all the attributes of a classic target-man. He is tall, strong, good in the air and holds the ball up well.
The official Arsenal website quotes Wenger as stating “He (Chamakh) is very good in the air and is also a good team player.” After a friendly against Barnet Wenger also stated on the website that “You could see Chamakh was very good at bringing players in. With our creative midfielders, that will be suited to our game.”
Arsenal’s other big striker Nicklas Bendtner, has impressed in spurts but has been inconsistent. Chamakh is older and more experienced and may provide the consistency Arsenal need from a front man this season. Arsene Wenger’s preferred first eleven is as yet unknown, but at the age of 26 Marouane Chamakh is about to enter the prime of his career and will surely have a big part to play for Arsenal this season.
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