I think it would be safe to say that if you were to tell Arsene Wenger that come the Christmas Period, he would be deploying Andrey Arshavin as a lone striker due to injuries, he would be a very surprised man. Despite Arsenal’s recent impressive form that has seen them defeat Liverpool on their own patch and jump back into the title race, they are still in need of another striker and rumours of a ‘big man’ refuse to go away. There have been host of names linked with a move to The Emirates, including Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Mario Balotelli; however the two most likely candidates appear to be Bordeaux’s Marouane Chamakh and Everton’s Louis Saha.
Chamakh has proved to be one of the key ingredients in a hugely successful year for Bordeaux. Laurent Blanc’s side clinched the Ligue 1 title last season, ending the seven year reign of Lyon in the process and have since progressed to the knockout stages of the Champions League after impressing in a group containing European giants Juventus and Bayern Munich. Chamakh is a Moroccan striker who has proved to be one of the big talents in France over the last few years. His goal scoring record for Bordeaux is impressive if not outstanding. He has scored 55 times in 232 appearances for the French side, a rate of just less than 1 in 4.
Chamakh is an immensely technical player and by no means fits the target man criteria rumoured around the Emirates. Despite standing at 6ft 2inches tall, Chamakh is not the most physical of players and instead prefers to focus on the ball at his feet. The Moroccan contains excellent ball control and it is likely that he will find it easy to slot into the Arsenal side given the free flowing attacking football that they like to play. His goal scoring record can be considered a concern considering the standard of the league he has been plying his trade in. It is an all too familiar story that a player who has succeeded in a lesser league has struggled greatly with the rigours of Premier League football. Chamakh, despite his glaringly obvious natural talent, would be a risk for Wenger to take and given their current squad, an out and out goal scorer may be a better option.
Louis Saha is a striker that the Premier League knows a lot more about, having featured for Manchester United and Fulham before Everton. Saha has overcome injuries to be a huge success at Goodison Park and has proved to be Everton’s one saving grace in an otherwise dismal start to the campaign. Saha holds a record of 20 goals in 48 appearances for Everton and also boasts impressive goal scoring statistics for both Fulham and Man Utd. He is a powerful striker who is also technically gifted. His strength and pace are accompanied by a goal scoring prowess that makes him one of the league’s most prolific strikers.
Saha would no doubt be a success at The Emirates and could well be what Wenger is looking for. He is a versatile striker and is able to act in a target man role as well as having the ability to playing fast, fluid football. He has proven himself in England and could prove to be a bargain considering his Everton contract runs up in the summer. The only real issue surrounding Saha is his match fitness. The Frenchman is prone to injury and as we have seen with numerous Arsenal players in the past, most notably Robin Van Persie, this can act as a stumbling block to Arsenal’s season. Whilst Saha may seem like the ideal signing, there is a certain degree of risk that comes with the former Manchester United striker’s signature.
Louis Saha seems like the most sensible option, however Everton are likely to do their best to hang on to the striker whereas Bordeaux seem resigned to Chamakh’s summer exit. For me, Saha pips Chamakh due to his sheer goal scoring record and Premier League experience. Everton have also shown an interest in the Moroccan and you never know, if Saha does end up at the Emirates, we could still be seeing Chamakh in the Premier League, but at Goodison Park.
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Hmm, do we really need another crock on our books in Saha. Don’t get me wrong the guy is world class when on form, but he hasn’t been fully fit since he was at Fulham.
I haven’t seen enough of Chamakh to pass judgement, but I have heard mixed reviews and that doesn’t fill me with confidence considering we need somebody to come in and fire us towards silverware.
I would personally like to see us go for one out of Huntelaar, Dzeko or Luis Fabiano. The latter two are less likely due to money, however there could be a possible cash plus player deal to be done with Sevilla as I know they have looked at Senderos and Eboue in the past. Also, considering Sevilla keep getting close and then fall away in the league, someone of Fabiano’s age might be considering getting that final move to a top club.
I have seen a fair bit of Dzeko in the Champon’s League this year and he looks like he could do a job for us. I saw one goal in particular where he did about 3 players in a tight area in the box and banged it in the bottom corner. He’s got the typical attributes of a big man as well.
Now Huntelaar is probably the most likely of the three. People will say he hasn’t reached the potential that he showed as a young man, but remember he would playing at a club with the best man-manager in the business. How can you show your true worth at a Madrid or Milan when, 1) Even if you have 3 great performances in a row, you might be dropped for a ‘superstar’ the next game. 2) Madrid have had about 237 managers in the last 10 years so how can any player be truly settled unless they’re one of the Bernabau favourites?
Also, the guy may have never felt settled since leaving his homeland, so coming to a place like England which is very similar to the Netherlands might do him the world of good. Plus, virtually every Dutch player sees the Premier League as the ultimate place they want to ply their trade. And let’s not forget RVP is here, one of his idle’s Bergkamp will do nothing but highly recommend the club as will a lot of Dutch managers I’m sure.
I agree with you mate, I think that someone like Dzeko would be brilliant for Arsenal. He is a big man but has also got great technical skills and footwork.
I’ve not been convinced by Huntelaar and don’t really know what to make of him. I agree with the Real and AC sentiments but there is always the question about whether or not dutch players who have succeeded in the Eridivise can make it in the Prem. I think he will come here sooner rather than later, whether or not it is Arsenal, I’m not sure, but i’m sure we’ll see in the next few years
Everton knocked back £8 million for Saha in the summer from Besitkas, since then he’s been scoring for fun for them. Quite simply, he’s world class.
Regarding his injuries, I read an article that a lot of it was in his head. Since moving to Everton he’s had a different outlook, less pressure and as a result, more games and more goals.
He’d certainly fit in at Arsenal, but I can’t see Wenger wanting to part with the cash that Moyes would demand for a (31 year old) player who is vital to his team’s success.
Neither thanks!
Gignac, Melo and Sakho in
Senderos out.
About 30 million spent and all holes filled.
Done
thanks and Merry Xmas
I agree with the consensus here that neither’s the right signing – Saha’ too old and Chamakh’s too much of a risk. Agree with the Dzeko proposal but don’t think Gignac would be much use
Dzeko is world class in my opinion