Of all positions available at Arsenal football club, the centre-forward role is surely that which is most up for grabs. Wojciech Szczesny is more-or-less a nailed on starter. Per Mertesacker looks set to play alongside captain Thomas Vermaelen this season. Kieran Gibbs is now the Gunner’s first choice left-back, whilst Bacary Sagna will likely slot right back into the team in the right-back position (despite the fact that Carl Jenkinson has been excellent). Santi Cazorla and Mikel Arteta are irreplaceable, whilst Jack Wilshere will probably earn his first-team role once he’s found full fitness again.
Upfront, however, things aren’t so certain. Indeed, the situation has become so clouded and unclear that Arsene Wenger has turned to the erratic Ivory Coast striker/winger Gervinho and asked him to play as a striker. Whilst this at first seemed to be somewhat ridiculous, the decision has been justified by the former Lille star grabbing 5 goals in 7 appearances this season (that’s 1 more than he managed in total last year). Not a bad return.
Yet, it should be borne in mind that Gervinho was abysmal against West Ham last Saturday. West Ham worked hard, won every aerial battle and asserted themselves physically. Gervinho ended up looking lost. What’s more, none of his team-mates seemed to know what he was going to do next at any stage of the game.
Olivier Giroud, who also hails from Ligue 1, looked much more comfortable. He fired home his first Premier League goal and set up Theo Walcott, who scored the goal that turned the tide of the game.
At the moment, Gervinho looks like a striker who would be better utilized during home games, whilst Arsene Wenger may opt to turn to Giroud for tougher away fixtures. Whilst the Ivorian keeps up his stranger scoring run, however, you can’t help but feel that Wenger should keep the faith.
His pace, direct running and trickery are a real sight to behold. If he’s suddenly found his finishing ability, he could be a real asset for Arsenal. At 25-years-old, he’s something of a late bloomer, but in this case, it’s better late than never.
What’s your take? Should Wenger stick to his guns and continue to play Gervinho as a striker?
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no no no no no no no no no no no no no!!!!
i have never really rated gervinho. people have whinged at walcott for not having a footballing brain but i think gervinho is the real culpret. you said it yourself, no one knows what he is going to do and it ultimatley leaves him isolated and ultimately loose the ball. walcott even has a better a better hit ratio in terms of minutes on the pitch. for me i would leave Gervinho out wide rotated with the Ox. while rotating Giroud and walcott upfront
Personally i can’t truelly trust him on that sole responsibility . Walcott and Giroud would do better than him . Should walcott get the same chance he is getting now and sure he will do better. Even Podolski on 9 is far better for ME. Let Gervinho GO back to the wing. Or better still a purchase of an outwright striker and Goal Poacher who will lead the Gunners. Though i would not be angry should we not sign any cos between Giroud Walcott and Podolski we have a Top 9 in making.
I agree. While i can’t berate Gervinho, his talents are best suited to the wing. His pace and tricky dribbling are useful for creating space and chances for the team but his suspect finishing make him inefficient as a striker. I still don’t get why Theo doesn’t get his chance up front considerng this term he has buried every chance that has come his way.