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Why Arsenal should keep the faith in this inconsistent star

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Recent rumours have linked the Arsenal front man with a move back to his native France with French champions Marseille being said to be interested but Chamakh has been quick to dispel these rumours, insisting he is not interested with a move to Marseille but hinting towards a possible move back to Bordeaux.

“These rumours [about Marseille] are completely false,” the striker told RMC. “If I was thinking about leaving Arsenal again for a French club, it would only be to return to Bordeaux.”

But what does the future hold for this man who has struggled to find consistency on a regular basis for Arsenal this season and why should Arsenal be patient with him?

When Marouane Chamakh signed on a free transfer from French side Bordeaux, many felt that the tall centre forward was the final piece of the jigsaw for an Arsenal side which had not won a trophy for 5 years. He came with a big reputation in France, not necessarily for his goal scoring ability, but for his clever, unselfish play and his ability in the air which was something distinctly lacking in Arsenal’s arsenal. Personally, I felt that Arsene Wenger should have signed the Moroccan international a season earlier, on the back of his pivotal role in helping Bordeaux win the French Championship, but Arsenal decided to wait a further 12 months whereby they could sign him on a free.

In doing this I think Arsenal made a big mistake, they should have paid the money and let him settle in the team whilst he was on a high. Although he had a very productive season in the Champions League, Bordeaux slumped in the league to 6th and Chamakh’s personal contribution wasn’t fantastic either, contributing only 10 goals and 1 assist in 38 league games as he played with half an eye on his move away.

When his move came, initially he seemed to settle in really well. A solid start to the season resulted in praise as he was recognised as the type of player who would add a new direct dimension to Arsenal’s play. His style of play, however, has baffled me at times. As a tall powerful centre forward with a great leap and presence, he looks more comfortable with the ball played into his feet so he can use his skill, vision and control to play one-twos and bring others into the game, rather than when it’s lumped high into the box for him to meet with his head. He plays with his head up always looking for the pass and assist, even at times where he might be better off shooting.

Whether this is a lack of confidence in his finishing ability I do not know, but Chamakh has never been a prolific goal scorer throughout his career, despite his reputation as being a bit of a poacher. And this is where the problems begin. Arsenal regularly play with one out and out centre forward – Robin Van Persie – and two wide men cutting inside. The way Chamakh looks to bring others into the game shows that he is more suited to playing with a more advanced strike partner. A system rarely used by Arsene Wenger unless they are in desperate need of a goal and why on many occasions this season he has been thrown into games in the final 10 minutes or so to partner Van Persie.

In his debut season for Arsenal he has contributed, although not as much as some will have hoped. He has scored 11 goals in 44 games overall including 7 in the league and 3 in Europe along with 6 league assists. He was a regular starter in the first half of the season but has started only once (on the final day of the season) since December 29th. In February he admitted to being a bit ‘burnt out’, as the pace of the English League caught up to him and he lost form and consistency, scoring only once since November 27th.

Many Arsenal fans I have spoken to believe that Arsenal would be better off selling him if an opportunity came but I completely disagree. With his first season behind him now and a better feel for the Premier League, I believe that next season, if his attributes can be accommodated in the side WITH those of Van Persie rather than instead of, Arsenal have a front two to be feared and Arsenal’s barren period will come to an end. The final judgement on Chamakh should come at the end of next season. Like Arsenal, Chamakh has been patchy this season showing flashes of brilliance followed by moments which frustrate but offering enough in promise to excite and to build upon for greater challenges next season.

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  • Omglol says:

    Good blog and nice summary of Chamakh season.
    HE was great player for us in his first year in EPL. Before this transfers if someone said Torres and Edin Dzeko in Arsenal everyone would go mad to get them in. But this examples show that everyone even big starts can have bad transition from club to club from one style of play to other. And far bigger and more experience EPL players got worst year then him. And didnt knew everyone who get in Arsenal had to score 20 + or he is not worthy.
    And we got him on free transfer.

  • Julius says:

    Arsenal fans should appreciate the fact that Chamakah, Ashavin are very good players. For Chamakah next season is his season(2011/2012)and fans shld be patient for this player to produce what he is for next two seasons.
    For Ashavin he was second best player for Arsenal this season after Van parsie because yes he did not score so many goals but he assisted so many of them than any other player in the premiere league if am not wrong.
    Lack of silver ware can not be blamed on an individual but a whole lot of the Arsenal first team including Course and his staff.

    • Davi says:

      I think nani assisted more. It’s more of an attitude thing with arshavin anyway. He is probably our oldest and most experienced player but he does nothing to inspire confidence in the others. He is so inward, and when he’s not playing well, he just looks so depressing. We need more from our experienced players.

  • Mannix says:

    To be honest we have a very strong team than Man U, bt we luck inspiration & someone like P.Viera who entertain no nonsense frm any lazy,selfish & unambition players.Get serious or get lost..

  • Davi says:

    “Whether this is a lack of confidence in his finishing ability I do not know”
    I do know he lacks confidence in his finishing, or at least all the evidence points to that. He constantly chooses not to shoot. There have been times where he’s been 1-on-1 and decided to hold the ball up and play a pass.
    I think he’s a really useful player, and did a great job for us when he was actually starting games up front, but he could be so much better if he would just go for it when he had the chance to shoot. It’s better to have a go and mess it up than to wait for a pass, so that the chance to score disappears. When he does that it creates frustration in the crowd and the players who put helped him in the goalscoring position.
    Anyway, he is definitely great at attacking crosses, he has no fear of going for goal with his head, and his work rate and link-up play has been very good. If we can just build up his confidence in front of goal, he will be a fantastic player imo.

    • Rachid MRabty says:

      completely agree, he needs to start games more regularly. its not good for anyones confidence when your just thrown on at the end of games and your visibly made to feel like 2nd or ever 3rd choice behind Bendtner!

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