Ever since there was talk of signing Chamakh, many of us have been wondering whether he will play through the middle or on the flank.
Arsene gave us a little hint in his interview with ATVO when he said,
He is more central. Used to playing there, type of game as well – back to goal, to keep the ball, hold the ball – more than facing the full back on the flanks and dribbling.
It’s interesting because that puts him in direct competition with Van Persie who has been phenomenal in that position. Obviously, some of the fans will say that RvP will get injured again next season and Chamakh will fill in for him! The other option is that Arsene rotates them a bit once Chamakh adapts to the league and the team. Those who watch the Dutch team would say Van Persie can play out wide but I genuinely believe that’s a waste of his talents. Who knows, we might even switch back to two upfront!
I think our style cries out for a striker who can play with his back to the goal. Van Persie is brilliant at that but none of our other strikers can do it effectively. Bendtner has developed well but his awareness, touch and decision making aren’t at that level yet. Chamakh, I’m hoping, will be a great asset for that purpose.
If you want to understand the importance of that, just see what Rooney did to spark the counter attacks against us. If Chamakh excels at this it could also benefit our defenders because none of our central defenders (including Vermaelen) dealt with this well enough. If you don’t believe this just revisit the trip to Burnley and see how Steven Fletcher (just one example) received the ball time and again!
The thought here is that if the defenders train with guys like Chamakh and Van Persie (who missed a lot of games and also a lot of training last season), then they might do much better against opponents like Rooney. So in a roundabout sort of way, our defence could improve with the signing of a striker!
Another advantage of having Chamakh would be that we can mix it up better. He is the hard working kind and a fighter so he can plough the channels if we have to use that approach in a game. Hopefully, Bendtner will watch and learn!
More than his position, the key question is whether Chamakh can actually adapt and deliver at the big stage on a consistent basis. Whatever I’ve said would be meaningless if he can’t. Let’s not forget Drogba was quite ordinary in his first two seasons, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Moroccan international took some time to adapt.
I guess this is a signing that promises a lot but also leaves a little room for concern. We’ll just have to wait and watch. In any case, I don’t think Chamakh is the one who is going to win a trophy for us next season, it will depend more on the next guy(s) going out and the replacement(s) coming in.
now only our players need to learn how to cross the ball
I think they will get it right once they have a consistent target man.
Desi, Nice article but I would like to go off topic and talk to you about a potential signing that I think could fit in to perfection. You may or may not remember that I have often gone on about how we need a player like Vermaelen to play in Defensive mid. Well as I was scouting for countless hours looking for a left footed defensive midfielder who could also cover for Vermaelen, i stumbled upon this player. His name is Jan Vertonghen and funnily enough he has many similarities to Vermaelen. (This was not why I originally liked him and I did already know a fair bit about him but these things aren’t always obvious until they smack you in the head) You may know him well but in case you don’t, he is a 23 year old from Belgium. He partnered Vermaelen in the defense last year but he is just as good in several other positions (Dm being one of these). He is 6 ft 2 so when partnering Denilson he completely makes up for the lack of height. He is extremely talented and in Ajax he was always regarded as the better player out of him and Vermaelen. He would fit in great as he obviously knows Vermaelen very well. By buying this player Arsene would be fixing several problems at once. He is a genuinely excellent central left defender and with training from Arsene its hard to see how he wouldn’t fit into Defensive mid with ease. He also fits into left back as a bonus. He wouldn’t be chucked in as a starter but would see plenty of game time as both Song and Vermaelen need to be rested and obviously the odds of one of them getting injured during the year are high. It also gives us the option of playing two defensive mids against top teams. Please don’t tell me he wouldn’t fit in because the odds all point towards the fact that he would. Cost wise I would consider him to be slightly higher than Vermaelen was but I can promise you, the number of left footed defensive mids out there that can also play center back and have any quality at all would probably be about 3 maximum. I’m not kidding. Not to mention he ticks every single box you can think of. I’m telling you this is the guy we need. Please find some stuff out about him and tell me you agree lol.
I remember the guy because someone bid for him, I think it was Everton. And if David Moyes rates a player I’d rate him as well because the Everton manager has done really well with his signings. I think, like Arsene, he too has a great success rate in transfers.
The observations you made a completely valid. We could do with a guy who is defensively versatile.
Without actually watching him play a few games it’s difficult to say more. I’m sure Arsene must have sent scouts to watch him and if they like him we could get him. The price should be reasonable I guess.
CHAMAKH is goin 2 b a legend like DIDIER@chelsk
Chamakh looks good, just from the outset. His work rate and willingness to create spaces is what impressed me more from the boardoux season highlights i was checking. His goal:game ratio is very low, somebody will tell me. But looks at how he plays and where he has been playing. Having to lead the line alone at boardoux and creating spaces for others is a different ball game compared to playing around cesc, vanpersie and co. He will get extra inches of space time and again with the talent that we have, but the question is, will HE adapt? I think so. And he loves to work FOR the team.
One thing struck my mind this morning: how about we put in a bid for Mertasaeker(sp?).? Decent defender willing to put himself on the path of the ball, experienced(60 odd games for Germany at 25 yrs of age, what else!). Looks the best deal out there to me. May not cost more than £10m approx. Mertasaeker, vermaelen, djourou, campbell, one more wenger discovery, ftw.
@ Phil23 – i want the shit you’re smoking.
I saw Mertesacker play a few years ago, haven’t seen him recently. At that time I’d thought he will be picked up by a big club, but it didn’t happen. Not sure what the issue was.
It’s good that Chamakh will have the full pre-season. That way he will get a better understanding with the squad. It’s important if they have to create space for each other and pick the runs.
Chamakh is great. Maybe we could go back to 442.
?
Sagna ? Vermaelen Clichy
Nasri Cesc Song Arshavin
Chamakh RVP
if we keep the 433
?
Sagna ? Vermaelen Clichy
Nasri Song Cesc
RVP Chamakh Arshavin
?= we need a new goalkeeper if not then make sczcesny no 1. and we also need a CB (Richards/Subotic/Sakho) if not Djourou could play there.
I’m not sure about Arshavin in the left of a 4 man midfield. He just doesn’t track back. It will put too much pressure on the central midfielders and if we want to free Cesc like this season, then Song will go crazy on his own.
I would really like to see arsenal switching to 4-4-2 Formation. I think injuries hit more in 4-3-3 formation. What do you think desi? One more think desi, can we get on with two formations or it will create confusion.
I think we can play with as many formations as we want. It’s down to how well the players read the game from a particular position. We’ve been weak on that front especially the defensive awareness and understanding of the midfielders. If we have to switch during a game, we need to work on it in training first.
true n very true; da guys goin out n da ones coming in.
http://arsenal-mania.com/articles/3108605/I-hate-Mourinho.html
Don’t you realize that once Fabregas leaves for Barcelona, we will switch back to 4-4-2 to replace his goals by getting two strikers on the pitch. Chamakh and RvP will both play up front, with Bendtner, Eduardo, Vela, and Theo filling in when needed.
It’s possible, but as I said above Arshavin on the left of a 4 man midfield weakens us defensively.
He might actually be better off in the central role that Cesc has (if Fabregas leaves).
I dont know why guys but i think Arshavin will leave this summer. And who knows this could be blessing in disguise. I sometimes question his commitment, which i hate the most
[...] Arsene: Chamakh Is More Central Player Ever since there was talk of signing Chamakh, many of us have been wondering whether he will play through the middle or [...] [...]
where would arsharvin go? all he wants is to go to Barca and i cannot see that happening any soon….
I think Chamakh is going to be an asset for Arsenal too and whatever combination the coach is going to put, ofcourse that suits our players, we need this season to be ours!!!!
Its long time we have been crying, I almost sold all my jerseys in frustration last season. I want to be proud of supporting a winning team!!!! And if Eboue could be signed away, to me, it would still be good. He was one of my source of disappointment and Arsene in particular. Am not attacking them, but they have to put the efforts to please fans, management and directors. Its alot of money that get lost when we continuously lose the games. We lose value and we become laugh of the streets, which isnt so fair to me.
Chamakh can not be like Drogba if our team wont be working collectively. I hope that we are going to make history this coming season.
Does Chamakh’s arrival signal the return of the “bench warming days” for Bendtner? What of Eduardo/Vela?
After watching RVP excel up front in the first 8 games of the season, I’m convinced that it should be a position reserved for the dutchman. Reverting back to 4-4-2 should also be given a thought. Since Chamakh is a target man and RVP has a distinct style of his own, therefore, our mid-fielders shouldn’t be afraid to mix up the style of attack by launching a few long-balls every now & then. From whatever little I’ve seen of him, I can say that his ability to control lobbed balls/long balls is better than any player at AFC. Accurate crosses can provide rich fodder for the ‘header-hungry’ Moroccan. Arsenal’s time-tested, traditional style of link-up play, though, should remain their principal strategy while going forward.
As of Arshavin, I hate to see his talent being wasted away on the wings. He can be lethal when playing just behind the men heading the formation. That’s where he plays for the Russian national team. That’s his ‘natural habitat’. Would love to see him play 1-2 with RVP and slice through defenses.
I’d like you to elaborate on what you meant when you said that Chamakh “can plough the channels”.
I’m not sure about the other strikers. In fact, if all our players are fit, picking the squad can be a real headache!
Have you seen how Agbonlahor plays against Arsenal? that’s what I meant by ploughing the channels. Running down the wings, giving an avenue for a long ball to be played out and then keeping possession allowing the team to push out.
Got it! Thanx DG.
Well desi, i am regular here. So i would really like to see which player signings would you want to see at emirates this summer?? I hope you write an article on it. I am really looking forward to it.
To be frank I don’t know too many players outside of England and to an extent Spain.
So I don’t know how good Sakho, Subotic or others are and I don’t want to say we should buy them just based on media reports.
In terms of positions I’d like a replacement for Gallas and one for Campbell if he doesn’t sign. The one for Campbell should be someone like Song or Kompany i.e. versatile.
We also have to see what happens to Cesc. I’d prefer a winger if he leaves rather than a central replacement.
And a goalkeeper if we can find a good one (I don’t think Lloris or Given or that kind of a keeper will really make a big difference at Arsenal, we need someone better than these guys!)
Bayer Leverkusen’s Rene Adler is the man! I’ve watched him in action and he’s terrific!
Well you can suggest from england then
Adler is quite good but my opinion is based on only a few games that I’ve seen.
From EPL I’d think Schwarzer is a good keeper, Cahill would be a decent defender (Jagielka also but he has fitness problems and not really big), apart from that we have to see how much money we get for Cesc if he leaves.
Akinfeev, Van Der Wiel (Even if we signed him and let him stay at Ajax another year), Cahill and Vertonghen. Chamakh was a needed signing as well. That would be exactly what we needed if we didn’t lose anyone. (And if we got Van Der Wiel i’d like to see Sagna go) Those 5 players have an average height of 6ft 1 1/2 inches. The average age, 23.8yo. Tons of talent, players that actually want to come to Arsenal. None over 15m but also they are quality players so unless Wenger worked his magic they’d all be in the 10m-15m range. All would also have a very decent chance of success as all of them have friends in the squad and suit Arsenals style of play. If we lost Fabregas we would surely not let him go for any less than 45m. I personally think anything below 55m is criminal. With that money we could invest it straight into Gourcuff and Hazard. No I don’t think Gourcuff is the answer but people seem to under estimate Wenger’s ability to make players perform. There is every chance he will improve even more at Arsenal and at 6ft 1, he has some qualities that Fabregas does not. He also has a telepathic connection with Chamakh (His best friend). Hazard will give us the option of playing 4-4-2 as we currently don’t have a starter that can play left wing. Hazard is also a huge talent and has stated that he would like to come to Arsenal. I have spent a long time looking into as many details I can and I believe this is an amazing team. Yes, it would take about 50m to build, but so bloody what? Barca spent 69m all up for Ibrahimovic. No this wont happen but is this not the time to dream about player signings? At least it stops me going crazy about whether or not we will lose Fabregas.
Fair enough.
I agree with your point that Wenger makes a lot of players much better than what they actually are or would be under other managers. I think it’s down to the fact that he lets them express themselves on the pitch.
I hope the Cesc deal, if it happens, isn’t too late so that we can use the money, and also that we get the money (55-60 M) with most of it upfront.