Whatever happened to Maroaune Chamakh? In many respects he was Arsenal’s leading man for the first half of the season, filling in for the injured Robin Van Persie and exercising a great deal of composure in doing so. The Moroccan forward has grabbed 11 goals in all competitions for Arsenal, but the majority of them were netted before Christmas. In fact, it’s been almost seven weeks since Chamakh scored, and even then it was against League One opposition Leyton Orient in the FA Cup quarter-final.
You can hardly blame him for not grabbing a few more goals following the festive season. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has used the 27-year-old rather sparingly and as a result Chamakh hasn’t had the game time necessary to chalk up any further goals. In recent times, particularly in the Premier League, Chamakh has been used predominantly as a substitute and is usually only introduced into the proceedings with 10-15 minutes left on the clock.
As a result, his goals-per-game ratio may look pretty shoddy, as he’s made 40 appearances for the club and only 11 goals – but his goals-per-minute ratio isn’t too bad at all. Given the fact that Arsenal rarely score scrappy, physical goals, I’m surprised that Arsene Wenger has frozen out the Moroccan in such a significant fashion. He may not be the most intimidating figure, but he hounds defenders, forces mistakes and can score the kind of messy goals that Arsenal often need to find in tight games.
I understand that Chamakh’s form took a turn for the worse at around the same time that Robin Van Persie’s injury problems began to disappear – but to freeze him out entirely seems a little harsh. To think, a few months ago, Chamakh was talking freely to the Press about how he wanted to be as important to Arsenal as Didier Drogba is to Chelsea. Funny how things change.
When Robin Van Persie’s in the kind of form that he’s currently in, he’s completely irreplaceable. I understand his prominence within the team – what frustrates me, however, is the fact that when Wenger does opt for another striker, he seems to favour his big Dane, Nikolas Bendtner. It’s a cause of frustration because Bendtner’s one of the most inconsistent players in the Premier League. Why does he keep getting chances whilst Chamakh keeps getting forgotten?
Chamakh may not be as tall as Bendtner, but he’s a decent header of the ball, has a better first touch and is able to link up with the midfield in a much more productive manner. I understand that he’s been misfiring when he’s been given a chance recently, but if he were handed a run of games in the squad, I’m sure he’d find his shooting boots once more. Like so many in this Arsenal squad, he’s very much a confidence player – once he grabs a couple of goals the floodgates will open and many more will follow.
I imagine that Wenger will stick rigidly to the blueprint he’s been working on over the course of this season. That means Chamakh will be continually sidelined in favour of Nikolas Bendtner. I can’t help but believe, however, that if Arsenal’s forgotten man were called upon, he’d come up with the goods.
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interesting points, but can Arsenal afford to give Chamakh a run of games at this stage of the season with so much at stake, I like him but think he ran out of juice before Christmas (he is used to a winter break) and has only recently been getting the odd minute or two here and there but I must admit he is definitely the better option to the Great Dane. For Arsene he works on stats quite a lot (so I hear) and Bendtner shoots much more than Chamakh does in game situations, Chamakh would rather find a team mate in a good position unless he has the time and space to shoot. The game against spurs at the emirate ring a bell for that he could have had a hat trick had he shot on goal rather than pass up the responsibility, If he gets lucky and finds his shooting boots again it would be good all round weather he gets 5 minutes or 30 minutes a game.
why he is an arsenal player?so simple.we got him for nothing,that is the kind of players wenger looks for.damn shelfish dictator
couldn’t agree more, the way he has been treated his confidence must be shattered. can only think something has gone on behind the scenes, that we don’t now about. when he see’s that 6 and half foot clown come on repeatedly,he must wonder what the heck have i done.
the problem for arsenal is that you blood players when your up by 4 or 5 goals but we never are. in desperation we bring on Bentner and Arshavin with 10 to go. therfore your gamechangers never see any game time.
Considering Chamakh’s uninvolvement in the last few months does not explain our demise as title and silverware challengers. In my opinion it comes down to our consistent lack of defensive cover and capabilities to see out games and be as strong in defense as we are as skillful and creative upfront. It has ever so slightly got better the last few years but clearly not good enough, until that side of our team is addressed, we will be consistent under performers and inconsistent result taking challengers.