Marouane Chamakh

Marouane Chamakh
Marouane Chamakh

vrijdag 3 december 2010

Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh targets 20 goals for his debut season

Arsenal’s summer signing from Bordeaux, Marouane Chamakh sets his sights on a 20 goal target in his debut season with the Gunners.
The newly inducted striker has settled rather well to life in the Premier league. The Moroccan born forward has scored a total of 11 goals in all competitions – Finding the net 7 times in the Premier League that has aided Arsenal’s cause as the Gunner’s find themselves in touching distance of the provisional league leaders Manchester United, heading into December.
Arsenal started the season with virtually 3 of their first choice strikers out of the picture. Nicklas Bendnter was sidelined with injury during his exploits with the Danish team in the 2010 World Cup. Robin van Persie suffered an ankle injury in August while Eduardo da Silva was sold to the Ukrainian Premier League club Shakhtar Donetsk. With little options in the striking department, Chamakh was called upon to bear the brunt of being the focal point of Arsenal’s attack.
While the striker’s contributions have been commendable so far, it could also be argued that the Gunner’s have overburdened the striker a touch too much. It was perhaps owing to the fatigue factor that the Moroccan striker was given a well deserved rest in Arsenal’s Carling Cup clash with Wigan Athletic as Bendtner started the game as Arsenal’s target man. However, the striker is subjected to return to starting eleven for Arsenal’s visit to the Cottagers on Saturday.
A pumped up Chamakh is rather eager to add to his scoring tally this weekend:
"For me, if I can weigh in with 15 to 20 goals, it would be a very, very good season,'' were the exact words of the striker on the official Arsenal website. He further added, "Whatever happens I hope to continue my progress.”
"It has gone really well with the set-up here, I hardly knew anyone when I arrived, but they have all made me feel very welcome. It has been easy to settle in and this has allowed me to express myself and that's very important.”
Chamakh could be commended for his ambition as he refused to settle down and claimed that he wanted to push himself further. The 22 year old has arguably become an integral part of Wenger’s line up this season. The Moroccan might not always score ‘pretty’ goals but his commitment and work rate has been off the charts.
Importantly for Arsenal, Chamakh has given the Gunner’s a new dimension as he is extremely good in the air – However, owing to the club’s trophy draught since the 2005 FA Cup trophy, it would perhaps make more sense if they are able to convert their performances to concrete, consistent results.