Arsène Wenger admits Marouane Chamakh’s form has dipped recently but is confident he will be back to his best sooner rather than later.
If anything, the Moroccan striker has been the victim of his own success after raising expectations with a flying start to his maiden Premier League season.
The summer signing led the line tirelessly in the absence of Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner in the notoriously demanding top flight and scored ten goals in his first 17 starts for Arsenal.
Chamakh’s last goal came in the 4-2 win over Aston Villa on November 27 and Wenger expects him to rediscover his scoring touch soon.
“I think he had a little dip very recently because he gave a lot since the start of the season,” said the manager. “But he will come back very quickly.
“He played most of the time on his own up front fighting for every single ball.
“He was highly decisive in many games and of course that’s why in the last two games he was a little bit jaded and had less capacity to make a sprinting difference.
“I’m very happy we have him at the Club.”
Monday, December 27, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Mid-Season Update
The 19th week it's of the EPL season is upon us and that means the teams will be pushing to finish strong in the second half of the long season.
Arsenal have had many ups and downs and Marouane has done very well for his first season with the Gunners. They haven't finished the first half like they wanted to, dropping too many points and losing a match at Old Trafford, which conceded the lead to United. The Gunners have a huge matchup with Chelsea after Christmas.
But the season still has many games left and it's no team as of yet has pulled away from the pack.
With the Champions League knockouts to begin in February, and Arsenal still playing for the Carling Cup, the schedule will get tight.
Recent snow cancellations will not help with the schedule, and Marouane should know this after Bordeaux' slide at the end of last season due to their jammed schedule.
I'm very pleased with Marouane at Arsenal, although I still miss seeing him with Yoann. A Chamcuff reunion would be very nice!
Here is a Holiday greeting from the Arsenal bunch...Marouane appears a couple of times, but the end piece is hilarious with his hat!!!! Enjoy!
Happy Holidays to my readers...and many blessings for the New Year!
Arsenal have had many ups and downs and Marouane has done very well for his first season with the Gunners. They haven't finished the first half like they wanted to, dropping too many points and losing a match at Old Trafford, which conceded the lead to United. The Gunners have a huge matchup with Chelsea after Christmas.
But the season still has many games left and it's no team as of yet has pulled away from the pack.
With the Champions League knockouts to begin in February, and Arsenal still playing for the Carling Cup, the schedule will get tight.
Recent snow cancellations will not help with the schedule, and Marouane should know this after Bordeaux' slide at the end of last season due to their jammed schedule.
I'm very pleased with Marouane at Arsenal, although I still miss seeing him with Yoann. A Chamcuff reunion would be very nice!
Here is a Holiday greeting from the Arsenal bunch...Marouane appears a couple of times, but the end piece is hilarious with his hat!!!! Enjoy!
Happy Holidays to my readers...and many blessings for the New Year!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Chamakh Has Heart; Sets Sight on More Goals
by Chris Harris of arsenal.com
Marouane Chamakh believes that Arsenal's fans have taken him to their hearts because he puts his heart into his performances.
The Moroccan striker has been a revelation in his first season in English football, scoring ten goals in 17 starts for his new club, including four in his last five games.
Chamakh's aerial ability has given Arsenal another route to goal and he clearly relishes the physical challenge of the Premier League. The 26-year-old thinks this has helped endear him to the supporters.
When Arsène Wenger swooped for Chamakh in May, no one described him as 'prolific' - sure, he scored his fair share of goals but his role was as much about linking play and creating space for others. That reputation will need reviewing if the Moroccan continues his current run and, having reached double figures already, Chamakh has set himself a personal target before the end of the season.
"Personally, I've never been a great goalscorer, I've never scored more than 20 goals a season, but it's up to the manager as to how he uses his players," he said.
"For me, if I can weigh in with 15 to 20 goals, it would be a very, very good season. Whatever happens I hope to continue my progress, which went really well under Laurent Blanc [at Bordeaux] and long may it continue.
"It's gone really well with the set-up here, I hardly knew anyone when I arrived but they've 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.
"Personally, I'm happy. I can do better but yes, I am happy."
Marouane Chamakh believes that Arsenal's fans have taken him to their hearts because he puts his heart into his performances.
The Moroccan striker has been a revelation in his first season in English football, scoring ten goals in 17 starts for his new club, including four in his last five games.
Chamakh's aerial ability has given Arsenal another route to goal and he clearly relishes the physical challenge of the Premier League. The 26-year-old thinks this has helped endear him to the supporters.
"I think the fact that I give everything [is why they have taken to me]," he told Arsenal.com.
"I give 200 per cent, I play with my heart, I've got guts, I give everything I've got. I don't cheat or cut corners, that's my strength, my character and I think that they like me for it."
When Arsène Wenger swooped for Chamakh in May, no one described him as 'prolific' - sure, he scored his fair share of goals but his role was as much about linking play and creating space for others. That reputation will need reviewing if the Moroccan continues his current run and, having reached double figures already, Chamakh has set himself a personal target before the end of the season.
"Personally, I've never been a great goalscorer, I've never scored more than 20 goals a season, but it's up to the manager as to how he uses his players," he said.
"For me, if I can weigh in with 15 to 20 goals, it would be a very, very good season. Whatever happens I hope to continue my progress, which went really well under Laurent Blanc [at Bordeaux] and long may it continue.
"It's gone really well with the set-up here, I hardly knew anyone when I arrived but they've 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.
"Personally, I'm happy. I can do better but yes, I am happy."
Marouane confers with new manager, Arsene Wenger
Scoring a well-earned goal against Spurs
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