The Danish striker's hat-trick against Leyton Orient puts him in pole position to fill the void caused by Robin van Persie's injury
When Arsène Wenger relates "bad news" about an Arsenal injury and suggests that he will be out for "the next three weeks, for sure", seasoned watchers of the manager tend to double the estimate. Especially when the player is Robin van Persie.
Whenever Arsenal lose the injury-prone Dutchman, it hurts but the pain is compounded this time around. Van Persie had been in supreme touch and the fixtures keep getting tastier.
The Champions League return against Barcelona at Camp Nou looms next Tuesday and the club now have an FA Cup quarter-final at Manchester United on Saturday week.
This fifth-round replay against League One Leyton Orient had a low-key feel, although not for the 9,000 travelling fans, who watched their team flicker briefly in the early running. But for Arsenal's stand-in strikers, it represented an audition. Marouane Chamakh and Nicklas Bendtner had claims to press.
It might have irked Bendtner that Chamakh, left, got the nod as the central striker, with him being asked to forage from the right. Bendtner has said on many occasions that he is not comfortable on the flank. He would hate for his greater versatility to count against him. Yet the Dane was undeterred as he went about upstaging Chamakh.
His hat-trick performance featured some of the usual foibles that can, on other days, infuriate the crowd. But his goals were of the highest order, particularly the second, which he curled with dead-eyed precision from 20 yards, having popped up on the left. He embraced his licence to roam. His 30th-minute leap and headed finish were ripped from the pages of the old-fashioned No 9's manual.
Bendtner scored at Camp Nou last season, as Arsenal threatened to pull off a famous upset before they were taken apart and he is the favourite to start ahead of Chamakh.
The Moroccan, who arrived last summer from Bordeaux, began his Arsenal career in encouraging style. He had 11 goals in all competitions by the end of November but, until this game, he had not scored since.
He admitted a few weeks ago that "by the start of January, I had completely lost my edge" and he added that he was benefiting from being taken out of the firing line.
Bendtner might never lack confidence but Chamakh looked tentative here, too measured in his passing, as though fearful of making a mistake.
There was a period in the first-half when all of his lay-offs went awry and this was after he had enjoyed the tonic of steering home the opening goal to end his three-month long scoring drought. He was hustled off the ball all too readily by Orient's centre-halves and the cobwebs remain.
Despite the comfort of the evening, the crowd expressed their frustration at his sloppiness. It felt significant that Wenger withdrew Bendtner but kept Chamakh on for the full 90 minutes. Wenger sorely needs his supporting cast to step up as the matches come thick and fast and the injuries mount, particularly the muscle strains. Tomas Rosicky became the latest casualty when he was helped off after 62 minutes with mild concussion.
Wenger had missed seven players at the outset due to various ailments. One of them, Cesc Fábregas, who has a hamstring problem, said that he was "running, getting better and not sensing any pain at the moment". Wenger said the midfielder would not feature against Sunderland on Saturday but, to Fábregas's mind, there is no doubt about Barcelona.
Wenger, though, painted a less than optimistic picture about the defender Thomas Vermaelen, the long-term achilles absentee. "We have to be patient," he said. "I don't want to put him under any pressure and anyway, we are in March now and he has not played since September so it will take him a while to get back to a competitive level."
Bendtner is at his level. Chamakh labours.
Source: David Hytner, The Guardian on 2 Mar 11
Showing posts with label Marouane Chamakh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marouane Chamakh. Show all posts
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Chamakh now holds the key
The Moroccan striker was heralded as exactly the kind of player Arsene Wenger needed when he joined on a free transfer from Bordeaux in the summer. Strong, powerful, athletic and with aerial ability he could provide the Gunners with a different dimension; Chamakh's movement and link-up play impressed at the start of the season, with Van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner forced onto the sidelines through injury.
However, as the season wore on and Van Persie returned to full fitness to lead the line again, Chamakh's impact waned, largely because of his inability to cope with the physical demands of the Premier League.
"Marouane has given a lot. He has played a lot on his own up front. He is a bit tired at the moment," Arsene Wenger explained in December. "He's used to having a winter break in France at this stage of the season. He has played nearly every game since the start of the season. He feels he had a little dip physically but he's working very hard in training to come back."
A haul of 11 goals before the turn of the year made the Moroccan a firm favourite with the Gunners' fans, and it has been his humility that has made him most popular. With the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner to follow in the striking ego-stakes at the Emirates, Chamakh has shown an altogether different side to his character.
"By the start of January I felt I had completely lost my edge," was his honest appraisal two weeks ago. "I am fully aware of my new role as substitute. I hope to play again but it could be in March rather than February.''
Having paid tribute to first XI rival Van Persie in the same interview, Chamakh's focus on team over individual is exactly what Arsenal need and, although his clairvoyancy extended to predicting when he would be involved again, he would be the first to admit how important his Dutch team-mate is to the club.
The stats suggest that while Van Persie has missed 42.75% of their Premier League games (109/255) since he moved to North London, their win ratio when he starts (78%) is significantly higher than when he doesn't (56%). Now, the pressure is on for Chamakh to fill the void at a time when Arsenal play three games in seven days across three different competitions [Leyton Orient, Fa Cup; Sunderland, Premier League; Barcelona, Champions League].
Without a goal since netting against Aston Villa on November 27, Chamakh must now rediscover his scoring touch to keep Arsenal firing on three fronts.
Of all the players in English football, Chamakh's movement makes him most similar to Van Persie. Unlike Bendtner, he drops deep to pick up the ball and distribute to his team-mates, often making a pass before surging forward to put pressure on the opposition's defence. It is a style most suited to Arsenal, as his hold-up play allows the club's supporting midfielders to push up and he can attack the space between the centre-back and full-back thanks to the width generated by Wenger's 4-2-3-1 formation.
Like Van Persie, Chamakh often does not run at defenders and has no particular pace to speak of, but falls behind his team-mate in the 'X factor' stakes. The Dutchman's goal against Barcelona was emblematic of his ability to conjure something out of nothing, while his hooked shot in the defeat to Birmingham showed his agility, if also highlighting his tendency to succumb to injury.
With those fitness worries now causing Arsenal a real headache, Chamakh's toughness - mentally as well as physically - will come under the microscope over the next few weeks. His ability to hit the ground running and provide an able replacement for Van Persie could be the key to Arsenal's hopes of ending their six-year spell without a trophy.
Source: Jon Carter, ESPN Soccernet on 1 Mar 11
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Wenger delighted by Chamakh contribution
Arsène Wenger has been delighted by Marouane Chamakh’s unexpected goal haul this season.
The Arsenal striker took his tally to eight with a brace at Wolves on Wednesday. It is a highly creditable return given the Moroccan is still getting accustomed to English football and, during his time in France, his ratio was one strike roughly every four games.
At his current rate, the 26-year-old will reach the landmark of 20 goals this term. In addition to his unselfish, energetic frontrunning, it will be massive contribution in Wenger’s opinion.
“I hope [he does it],” said the manager. “He is a guy who gets others involved, creates chances and who is collective in the final third. Even if he doesn’t get 20 goals I’m sure the players around him will score because of him.
“I am pleased because I expected a team player, someone who fights for the team, and I have not been disappointed by his commitment and contribution.
“If you look at the number of times he was decisive then if you are not happy you must be very difficult to please. I’m extremely satisfied with the fact I signed him.
“Chamakh has never been a great goalscorer but, the way we play, all the strikers score here. We always go forward and you will be in the box at some stage so you will get chances.”
Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 12 Nov 10
The Arsenal striker took his tally to eight with a brace at Wolves on Wednesday. It is a highly creditable return given the Moroccan is still getting accustomed to English football and, during his time in France, his ratio was one strike roughly every four games.
At his current rate, the 26-year-old will reach the landmark of 20 goals this term. In addition to his unselfish, energetic frontrunning, it will be massive contribution in Wenger’s opinion.
“I hope [he does it],” said the manager. “He is a guy who gets others involved, creates chances and who is collective in the final third. Even if he doesn’t get 20 goals I’m sure the players around him will score because of him.
“I am pleased because I expected a team player, someone who fights for the team, and I have not been disappointed by his commitment and contribution.
“If you look at the number of times he was decisive then if you are not happy you must be very difficult to please. I’m extremely satisfied with the fact I signed him.
“Chamakh has never been a great goalscorer but, the way we play, all the strikers score here. We always go forward and you will be in the box at some stage so you will get chances.”
Source: Richard Clarke, Arsenal.com on 12 Nov 10
Friday, November 12, 2010
Marouane Chamakh strikes twice to give Arsenal win at Wolves
Heartily sick as he is of seeing his players cast as heroic losers, Mick McCarthy had little choice other than to praise them for another near miss against the big fry after Arsenal had eased the pressure that had descended once more following successive defeats in Europe and at home against Newcastle United.
Wolves' manager showed grace, though, that others might have struggled to extend in accepting as an accident a reckless, late Cesc Fábregas tackle that led to Stephen Ward being taken off on a stretcher to the dressing room just before the end. The referee Mark Halsey consulted his perfectly placed assistant before reaching for a yellow card for the Arsenal captain when the side's fifth red of the season seemed a distinct possibility.
Molineux's collective hackles were raised by the incident – a predictable reaction to the dismay the home club have felt at being labelled this autumn as over-physical. But McCarthy was pacified by the appearance of Fábregas in the home dressing room to apologise afterwards and check on the damage to Ward's gashed leg.
"I have no problem with it at all," he insisted. "Wardy has accepted it like a man. This has been like a throwback to the old days where one player catches a player with a mistimed tackle, buys him a pint afterwards and the other says he will get him back later in the season.
"What I can't stand is people whingeing at my players. It's all amateur dramatic bullshit."
The reaction was particularly generous given that Fábregas (right) threaded through the pass seconds later for Chamakh to clip in off Marcus Hahnemann's hand for the killer goal, his eighth of the campaign, at a time when Wolves were pushing hard for an equaliser.
At the end of a succession of near misses, Kevin Doyle drove inches wide of the far post and Christophe Berra brought an outstanding full-length save from Lukasz Fabianski, the goalkeeper having already staked a claim for star billing with a tip-over from Doyle's 20-yarder and a claw-away from Sébastien Squillaci's first-half deflection.
Arsenal looked vulnerable to crosses by Stephen Hunt and the impressive Matt Jarvis, with Kevin Foley and Doyle also sending headers off target. It summed up Fabianski's return to favour that, in addition to shutting Wolves out at one end, his throw-outs led to both goals at the other.
"The victory was so important that we focused more on defending in this game," said the Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger. "We still had many chances but you have to give credit to Wolves. They are a good side and are always dangerous.
"Chamakh was sick all last week and only played for an hour on Sunday but I thought he would be sharper tonight."
The Moroccan international, signed early in the summer on a free transfer after his contract expired at Bordeaux, had not scored away from home for the club in the Premier League until becoming the latest beneficiary of Wolves' generous defending.
It was deep in stoppage time that the 2009 Championship winners were beaten both at Old Trafford on Saturday and with 10 men at the Emirates in April.
But the damaging first incision here arrived after only 37 seconds. Tomas Rosicky initiated an attack that was continued by Alex Song's right-wing centre and turned to substantial profit as Chamakh drifted away from Richard Stearman to plant a fine downward header past Hahnemann's right hand.
Only the American's fine save denied a clean-through Andrey Arshavin following Stearman's mistake shortly afterwards, then Fábregas drove a shot against the goalkeeper's knees from near the penalty spot.
Despite losing David Edwards through an early foot injury, though, Wolves regained some ground as the half wore on, having hit back from behind to beat Manchester City 12 days ago. And they were the better side in the second half, although Fábregas casually drove wide an opportunity gifted to him by Stearman's dreadful pass and Arshavin was unlucky with a low shot on the run that struck the foot of the far post.
Position-wise, the status quo was preserved for both teams, Arsenal remaining third and Wolves – now beaten in seven of their last nine league games – kept off the bottom only by their neighbours West Bromwich Albion's late equaliser at West Ham. "We have to score when we play as well as that," McCarthy added. "Fabianski was hopeless for Newcastle's goal on Sunday but he was brilliant here."
Source: David Instone, The Guardian on 10 Nov 10
Chamakh at the double for Gunners
Chamakh struck after only 39 seconds when he headed in a cross from Alex Song and wrapped up victory in injury-time.
It was the perfect riposte after their shock home reversal against Newcastle and kept Mick McCarthy's side in the bottom three.
The Gunners threatened to run away with the game in the early stages with their one touch football.
Wolves were indebted to keeper Marcus Hahnemann for keeping them in the hunt during that period.
But they hauled themselves back into contention via the creativity of Nenad Milijas and the endeavour of Stephen Hunt.
Arsenal got off to the perfect start through Chamakh's seventh goal of the campaign.
Song made a break down the right before delivering a probing cross - and Chamakh was first to react in sending his header past Marcus Hahnemann into the corner of the net.
It needed a fine save from Hahnemann to prevent Arsenal from doubling their lead.
Andrey Arshavin raced clear of the Wolves rearguard but Hahnemann came quickly off his line to reduce the angle and he blocked the resulting shot.
The home side were forced to make a change after only eight minutes when Dave Edwards limped out of the action to be replaced by Hunt.
Wolves were taking time to recover from their early setback and were indebted to Hahnemann for a second time.
Arshavin's low cross was only half cleared by Richard Stearman and Fabregas' shot was blocked by the feet of Hahnemann.
Wolves were being pulled apart and Christophe Berra had to make a timely block on Arshavin's shot after being found in space by Fabregas.
Wolves started to get a foothold in the game and Kevin Doyle, without a league goal this season, came close to putting them on level terms after 28 minutes.
Hunt floated in an inswinging free-kick from the right flank and Doyle's back header was only inches too high with Fabianski scrambling across his goal.
Doyle was then found in space by Milijas' raking long pass but his control let him down as he bore down on goal and Gael Clichy was able to make the interception.
Fabianski had to palm away a cross from Matt Jarvis that took a wicked deflection off Sebastien Squillaci and was about to creep inside the far post.
Wolves came close to emulating Arsenal's quickfire start to the first half in the opening minute of the second period.
Jarvis' low ball across the six yard box was met by Milijas but Sagna made a crucial block to deny him the equaliser.
Arsenal should have doubled their lead after a misplaced pass from Stearman fell to Rosicky outside the Wolves box.
He delivered the ball back into the penalty area to the unmarked Fabregas but he sent his shot wide.
Wolves started to apply pressure and Fabianski tipped over a curling effort from Doyle which looked destined for the top corner of the net.
Rosicky came to Arsenal's rescue after 58 minutes when he cleared Stearman's close range effort off the line from Milijas corner.
Wolves were saved by the woodwork six minutes later as Arshavin's low drive beat the dive of Hahnemann but rebounded to safety off a post.
Arsenal substitute Denilson was booked after 73 minutes for not retreating after Wolves had been awarded a free-kick.
Wolves skipper Karl Henry deflected a low effort off the line from Johan Djourou after Sebastien Squillaci had initially mis-kicked inside the six yard box.
Stearman was yellow carded in the 86th minute for chopping down Arshavin.
Then Fabregas went into the book 60 seconds later for a touch-line lunge on Stephen Ward who was stretchered off and replaced by Steven Fletcher.
Doyle almost rescued a point for Wolves when his low shot flew inches wide.
But in the dying seconds Chamakh wrapped up the points with a clinical piece of finishing.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy insisted he had no problem with Cesc Fabregas' tackle on Steven Ward, revealing the Arsenal captain had apologised to the player.
"Fabregas has gone for the ball. It is one of those when two blokes are running at full tilt and you slide in and he has got a cut on his leg," McCarthy said.
"Fabregas has been in to apologise and Wardy has accepted it like a man and I wish everyone would stop whingeing about tackling and complaining.
"It wasn't a bad tackle. I've no problem with it at all. It happens. What I can't do with is everyone bitching at my players and my team when we tackle.
"Just stop whingeing and accept it. Fabregas has been in and Wardy has accepted it and isn't it lovely? I said to Arsene I've no problem with the tackle and I really appreciate the apology."
Arsene Wenger said he did not see the incident, but claimed Fabregas was attempting to play the ball.
"I think it was an accidental tackle. That's what Cesc told me. He touched him (Ward) of course but he wanted to play the ball. He went to the dressing room and apologised to the player and he is all right.
"I have not seen the tackle yet but I have just apologised to McCarthy if the player is injured because I didn't know exactly what had happened because the linesman was in my view.
"Cesc says to me it was completely accidental but he still went to see the player to see how badly he was hurt. It doesn't mean he feels guilty."
Wenger was pleased to see his team get back to winning ways, reserving special praise for two-goal hero Marouane Chamakh.
"He was not sharp against Newcastle and I only played him for an hour after he had been sick for all the previous week," he said. "I thought he would be sharper tonight. If you look back since the start of season, he has been decisive in many games.
"We went early into the lead and the victory was so important for us tonight that the focus was more on defending and keeping the result safe.
"If you look at the game, we had many chances but I must say you have to give credit to Wolves. They are good defensively, they are good at winning the ball back and they always looked dangerous. They will give problems to anyone in this league."
Source: ESPN Soccernet on 10 Nov 10
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Chamakh strikes to lift Arsenal against Birmingham as Wilshere sees red
The irony of the timing of the offences was lost on no one, Wenger perhaps least of all. The Arsenal manager had used his programme notes to bemoan the demise of the "technique of the tackle". The scissor challenge "is putting another player's career under threat" he had written, concluding that: "Managers have an important part to play as we are all responsible for the behaviour of our teams."
Yet here was evidence of just how powerless the manager can be – a reality that presumably applies as much to the likes of Tony Pulis and Mick McCarthy as Wenger – once adrenalin kicks in out on the turf. Wilshere had been this game's outstanding performer, a buzzing presence in central midfield and a blur of clever passes, only to ruin an afternoon's work in stoppage time. His slide in on Nikola Zigic was implemented with studs raised, the midfielder planting his left foot into the Serb's right ankle.
The striker was fortunate to depart merely bruised, unlike Eduardo da Silva, Aaron Ramsey and Abou Diaby from infamous fouls in recent years. But, while Wenger did not dispute that the offence warranted dismissal, his assessment – inevitably – was far less scathing than that so often delivered of opposing players when his own are hurt. "He mistimed his tackle and got the red he deserved," he said. "But it was his first tackle of the game. He didn't spend the whole game kicking people: he played football and was one of the best players on the pitch. "
Wilshere's challenge was not malicious, yet Birmingham still insist that neither had been Martin Taylor's at St Andrew's two years ago when Eduardo had shattered his leg. That, too, had apparently been "mistimed". "We've had to put up with the 'Eduardo stuff' for the last couple of years every time we play Arsenal," said Alex McLeish. "Even in the programme today, the interviewer says he's going to interview Eduardo 'about that tackle'. It's scandalous. Martin Taylor is not a dirty player, but it was a mistimed challenge. We're not citing Jack Wilshere as dirty, but that tackle could have caused Zigic terrible damage. It just shows that anyone can mistime things in this hurly burly modern football."
The dubious challenges here were not all inflicted by the hosts – Roger Johnson's aerial clash with Marouane Chamakh might have prompted fiercer scrutiny – yet Eboué's scissor challenge on Liam Ridgewell, which prompted only a yellow card, had potentially been as dangerous as Wilshere's foul. When asked about the Ivorian's misdemeanour, Wenger rather squirmed, snapping back: "You write what you want.''
Chamakh's goal early in the second half, supplied by the England midfielder and taken slickly after he turned away from Stephen Carr, secured a victory that might have been more comfortable had over-elaboration not consistently clicked in when Ben Foster loomed large.
The Moroccan had perhaps been fortunate to earn the penalty from which Arsenal had equalised before the break, tumbling eagerly over the grounded Scott Dann's ill-advised flick. Samir Nasri's conversion was emphatic and momentum had swung in the hosts' favour for good.
Birmingham never recovered the poise briefly achieved when Zigic had thumped a header from Keith Fahey's centre across Lukasz Fabianski into the far corner. Had the Serb added a second from Johnson's nod-back they might have aspired to a first win at these opponents since 1957. Instead, their lead was extinguished within eight minutes, with the relief in narrow victory all Arsenal's.
Source: Dominic Fifield, The Guardian on 16 Oct 10
Chamakh fires Gunners past battling Blues
The Blues took a shock lead through Nikola Zigic after 33 minutes as once again the Gunners - who had lost their past two league games before the international break - failed to make the most of early possession.
However, Samir Nasri levelled with a somewhat controversial penalty just before half-time, before Marouane Chamakh slotted home a well-taken effort two minutes after the restart which proved enough for all three points.
The win was soured late on, however, when England teenager Wilshere showed his immaturity with a reckless challenge on Zigic which earned him a straight red and a three-match ban.
Defeat at Chelsea last time out had left Arsenal some seven points off the pace, and manager Arsene Wenger had called on his team to produce a strong response from kick-off.
It was almost that as Chamakh went close after just four minutes following a neat one-two with Wilshere on the edge of Birmingham's box, but Stephen Carr blocked his side-foot effort.
Arsenal suffered a shock 3-2 defeat against West Brom in their previous match here last month - and there was more frustration for the home supporters during the first quarter-of-an-hour following some resolute defending by Birmingham.
On 17 minutes, Sebastien Squillaci headed in Samir Nasri's chipped free-kick from the right wing, but the offside flag was quickly up.
Arsenal were presented another golden opportunity on 24 minutes when a soft back pass from former Arsenal midfielder Sebastian Larsson in his own penalty area gifted Gael Clichy a free shot at goal from 10 yards, but the full-back dragged his shot wide of the far post.
Gunners goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski had not really been troubled, but needed to be alert to collect an inadvertent backward header from Emmanuel Eboue, which was set for the top corner, after a free-kick into the Arsenal box.
The Blues, however, continued to look dangerous from set-pieces and it was no real surprise when the visitors went ahead after 33 minutes. A throw-in was fed back to Keith Fahey, and his sweeping cross was met by Zigic, who got up above Johan Djourou to power a header back into the bottom corner for the Serbian's first Premier League goal.
Birmingham almost snatched a second when Roger Johnson knocked the ball back across the six-yard box, but Fahey blazed over as he got in the way of Zigic.
Arsenal were then handed a lifeline five minutes before the break when Scott Dann clipped Chamakh's trailing leg and referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot. Nasri made no mistake as he crashed in his fifth goal of the season.
The French winger, though, was soon in the referee's book for barging at Liam Ridgewell, although replays suggested the card could easily have been red after leading with his knee.
Tempers were boiling over as half-time approached, with Blues skipper Carr involved in a heated exchange with the Arsenal bench and Chamakh looked to be on the receiving end of an elbow from Johnson, but it went unpunished.
If there was a touch of controversy about Chamakh's involvement in the equaliser, the Morocco striker produced the perfect response as he put Arsenal ahead just two minutes after the restart. Wilshere played the ball into the left side of the penalty area, where Chamakh ghosted past Carr before holding off Dann as he rounded the goalkeeper to roll home his fifth goal from a tight angle.
Arsenal soon settled into their usual passing rhythm, as Birmingham suddenly found themselves chasing possession for long spells, but were again guilty of taking too many touches around the box when a more direct approach was required.
Wilshere did just that when charging into the left side of the penalty area before drilling an angled drive over. Both substitute Tomas Rosicky and Nasri tested Foster from distance while the introduction of Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner for his first appearance of the season gave Arsenal a different option.
But Wilshere's red card left a bad taste in the mouth after he went in late on Zigic moments before the final whistle.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted Jack Wilshere deserved his late red card against Birmingham.
Wilshere showed a degree of immaturity with a reckless challenge on Zigic in the closing stages which earned him a straight red.
Wenger had talked about the need to clamp down on such tackles in his programme notes, and accepted the 18-year-old could have little complaint.
"He mistimed his tackled and got a red card, which he deserved,'' the Arsenal manager said. "Jack has acknowledged he deserved it, but he did not spend his whole game trying to kick people, he was one of the best players on the pitch today.
"It was more of frustration and did not want to hurt the player, but we do not complain about the red card.''
Source: ESPN Soccernet on 16 Oct 10
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Arsène Wenger backs Marouane Chamakh to lead Arsenal's campaign
The Arsenal manager was full of praise for Marouane Chamakh, his summer signing from Bordeaux.
Arsène Wenger listed Arsenal's growing ranks of walking wounded tonight, the names of the high-profile absentees tripping miserably off the tongue: Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie, Thomas Vermaelen, Abou Diaby, Nicklas Bendtner, Aaron Ramsey.
There is significant reliance already on all three of Arsenal's summer signings, with each to start the club's Champions League campaign tomorrow evening. "But Sébastien Squillaci is 30 already and experienced and Laurent Koscielny has simply had to play from the start," the manager said. "And Marouane Chamakh? Well, he has already shown what an important player he can be for us."
It is the Moroccan who has most caught the eye. Wenger used to grant foreign imports time to adapt to life in this country, calling on them relatively sparingly over the first few months after their arrival in the Premier League. Robert Pires serves as the best example, a player who flourished in his second season in north London. Yet already Chamakh appears to have come ready-made for English football with his adaptation period apparently limited to a profligate display in last month's trouncing of Blackpool. He eventually scored his first goal for the club that afternoon, Arsenal's sixth, although in the context of a thrashing his passing up of a hat-trick of earlier opportunities never felt costly.
Now, only four games into his Arsenal career, the sense is growing that Wenger has lured to The Emirates a player who can add something extra to this team's slick approach. Chamakh flourished in France as a lone striker with Bordeaux, his impact built as much upon work-rate as weight of goals. He learned from Christophe Dugarry, a World Cup winner in 1998, who taught him "how to shield the ball better and helped me improve my movement". Under Laurent Blanc, he focused his energy. He had managed double figures only once in six seasons previously but, in his last two years with Les Girondins, plundered far more freely. In the absence of the slippery Van Persie and Bendtner, a target man who has flattered to deceive since being handed first-team opportunities at the Emirates, Chamakh has an opportunity to make himself pivotal. At 6ft 2in he has the brawn and the spring to unsettle sides both in the Premier League and in Europe, with Braga braced for an awkward evening.
"He has done well," Wenger said. "He is used to a physical game and is the type of player who likes contact with his opponent. He loves that side of the game, challenging in the air. No matter where you jump, if you're playing in Japan or in England, if you jump high you'll beat your opponent with your head, and he does that.
"But he's adapted quickly because he is a really selfless team player. He works for the team and is a guy who loves being with his team-mates. They appreciate his efforts, too. Even if he misses one or two chances, his contribution is so high in other areas that it is not a problem. And the goals he scores himself are usually important goals. He doesn't score the fourth in a 4-1 usually, he scores the second to make it 2-1, as he did on Saturday [against Bolton] or the equaliser."
The visit of the Portuguese should not prove a culture shock for a forward who has scored five Champions League goals in 19 appearances and ruffled no less than Juventus already in his career. The 26-year-old offers focus to Arsenal's front line along with industry and bite. He could yet prove to be this side's prolific missing link. "He has improved already," his team-mate, Bacary Sagna, said. "When he arrived here he was a bit, well, not scared, but he certainly needed time to settle. That's happened already and he has found his feet.
"It's so important for the team to have a player like him up front. He can keep the ball well and he just wants to play, give his best and work for the team. He'll get better results with each game he plays. For the team he will be very important. He will become a great player for Arsenal."This side will need him to maintain his early promise while the club's injury list remains lengthy though, in Chamakh, they already boast a player in whom they trust.
Source: Dominic Fifield, The Guardian on 14 Sep 10
Arsène Wenger listed Arsenal's growing ranks of walking wounded tonight, the names of the high-profile absentees tripping miserably off the tongue: Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie, Thomas Vermaelen, Abou Diaby, Nicklas Bendtner, Aaron Ramsey.
There is significant reliance already on all three of Arsenal's summer signings, with each to start the club's Champions League campaign tomorrow evening. "But Sébastien Squillaci is 30 already and experienced and Laurent Koscielny has simply had to play from the start," the manager said. "And Marouane Chamakh? Well, he has already shown what an important player he can be for us."
It is the Moroccan who has most caught the eye. Wenger used to grant foreign imports time to adapt to life in this country, calling on them relatively sparingly over the first few months after their arrival in the Premier League. Robert Pires serves as the best example, a player who flourished in his second season in north London. Yet already Chamakh appears to have come ready-made for English football with his adaptation period apparently limited to a profligate display in last month's trouncing of Blackpool. He eventually scored his first goal for the club that afternoon, Arsenal's sixth, although in the context of a thrashing his passing up of a hat-trick of earlier opportunities never felt costly.
Now, only four games into his Arsenal career, the sense is growing that Wenger has lured to The Emirates a player who can add something extra to this team's slick approach. Chamakh flourished in France as a lone striker with Bordeaux, his impact built as much upon work-rate as weight of goals. He learned from Christophe Dugarry, a World Cup winner in 1998, who taught him "how to shield the ball better and helped me improve my movement". Under Laurent Blanc, he focused his energy. He had managed double figures only once in six seasons previously but, in his last two years with Les Girondins, plundered far more freely. In the absence of the slippery Van Persie and Bendtner, a target man who has flattered to deceive since being handed first-team opportunities at the Emirates, Chamakh has an opportunity to make himself pivotal. At 6ft 2in he has the brawn and the spring to unsettle sides both in the Premier League and in Europe, with Braga braced for an awkward evening.
"He has done well," Wenger said. "He is used to a physical game and is the type of player who likes contact with his opponent. He loves that side of the game, challenging in the air. No matter where you jump, if you're playing in Japan or in England, if you jump high you'll beat your opponent with your head, and he does that.
"But he's adapted quickly because he is a really selfless team player. He works for the team and is a guy who loves being with his team-mates. They appreciate his efforts, too. Even if he misses one or two chances, his contribution is so high in other areas that it is not a problem. And the goals he scores himself are usually important goals. He doesn't score the fourth in a 4-1 usually, he scores the second to make it 2-1, as he did on Saturday [against Bolton] or the equaliser."
The visit of the Portuguese should not prove a culture shock for a forward who has scored five Champions League goals in 19 appearances and ruffled no less than Juventus already in his career. The 26-year-old offers focus to Arsenal's front line along with industry and bite. He could yet prove to be this side's prolific missing link. "He has improved already," his team-mate, Bacary Sagna, said. "When he arrived here he was a bit, well, not scared, but he certainly needed time to settle. That's happened already and he has found his feet.
"It's so important for the team to have a player like him up front. He can keep the ball well and he just wants to play, give his best and work for the team. He'll get better results with each game he plays. For the team he will be very important. He will become a great player for Arsenal."This side will need him to maintain his early promise while the club's injury list remains lengthy though, in Chamakh, they already boast a player in whom they trust.
Source: Dominic Fifield, The Guardian on 14 Sep 10
Friday, August 27, 2010
What to Expect From Chamakh in Attack
He's the exact opposite of Adebayor, despite the mercenary being his hero, but the key question is - can he shoot the Gunners to Premier League glory?
Marouane Chamakh still has a bit to learn about diplomacy. When I met him at Bordeaux’s training ground in May, Arsenal’s summer signing committed a series of faux pas. Attempting to explain why he hadn’t moved to the Premier League when the opportunity arose a year ago, he said he had only received offers from “small clubs” like Tottenham and Sunderland. Arsenal fans, of course, won’t mind that comment. They may cringe, however, when they discover that the Moroccan named Emmanuel Adebayor as one of his role models.
Chamakh first ran into Adebayor a decade ago. He was a shy 16-year-old leading the line for Bordeaux’s youth team in a championship showdown against Metz. At the other end was another imposing, talented striker from Togo, who was already much taller than Chamakh, and more self-confident too. “He really impressed me,” Chamakh says today. “I knew then he had a big future, and ever since I’ve been trying to follow his path.”
Arsenal fans preparing to cry into their beer glasses at the thought of another greedy, self-centred forward arriving at the Emirates need not worry. Chamakh is not the same player as Adebayor – and he is certainly not the same person.
A look back at their respective careers provides ample evidence of contrasting characters. Adebayor spent two seasons at Metz before heading to Monaco where he then went on strike to force through his move to Arsenal. Little needs to be said about Adebayor’s acrimonious departure from north London, and he has certainly not become the darling of the Manchester City fans yet.
Currently in international retirement, Adebayor has performed well for Togo but is best known for an explosive bust-up with former coach Stephen Keshi and regular disputes with the Togolese FA over payments.
Chamakh, on the other hand, joined Bordeaux at 16 and left them this summer after ten years’ loyal service, receiving a long and emotional ovation from the fans at the end of his last home game. Although he was born in France, the 26-year-old has played more than 50 times for the country of his parents, Morocco, where he is a national hero and regarded as an outstanding role model for youngsters.
In his spare time, ‘Ce bon Chamakh’ – as L’Equipe newspaper branded him in a headline last season – is an ambassador for the charity ‘Mille et un Sourires’, helping disadvantaged Moroccan schoolchildren and attending social functions for elderly former servicemen.
Of course plenty of footballers associate themselves with charities; Chamakh is not a saint and Adebayor, contrary to popular belief in N5, is not all bad. Indeed, ask any Ligue 1 defender what they think of Chamakh, and they will be much more likely to show you their bruises or talk about the way he uses his elbow when he jumps than wax lyrical about his charity work.
Yet so different is he to Adebayor it makes you wonder if Arsène Wenger, who was personally stung by the City striker’s lack of loyalty, has intentionally plumped for a player who is the exact opposite.
Chamakh was seen as a major talent from the moment he broke into Bordeaux’s senior sqaud as a teenager and began pushing Christoph Dugarry and Pedro Pauleta hard for a regular place. When, aged 20, he struck ten league goals in the 2004/05 season, perennial French champions Lyon came knocking. A superb team, OL were dominating Ligue 1 at the time and Chamakh was understandably keen to team up with the likes of Michael Essien and Juninho Pernambucano.
Bordeaux stood firm, though. Chamakh was clearly unhappy but never threw a tantrum. He kept his head down and continued to work hard for his hometown club. Maybe Chamakh’s career would have progressed more quickly had he been a bit more headstrong and forced Bordeaux’s hand in 2005. After all, Les Girondins went through a barren period under Ricardo Gomes, and Chamakh scored only 16 goals in the next three seasons.
Scoring, incidentally, has never been Chamakh’s forte. Technically assured, outstanding in the air and surprisingly athletic given his height (6’2”), he has all the qualities a striker needs. Well, almost. He lacks a nose for goal. Too often he is caught on his heels when a winger gets to the byline and cuts the ball back. Yet Chamakh contributes so much it is possible to overlook this flaw. He is constantly bringing team-mates into the play, works hard in both penalty areas, and fights with the determination of an old-fashioned English target man.
His club career took off at last during his second season under Laurent Blanc. Or, to be more precise, on December 23, 2008, at Monaco’s Stade Louis II. Monaco were 3-0 up and cruising when Chamakh came off the bench in the second half and totally transformed the game. He scored two headers – the second an equaliser in the 87th minute – and then set up Fernando Cavenaghi’s injury-time winner. Monaco simply could not live with the forward’s power, and Bordeaux had found their talisman. In 2009, his brilliant understanding with Yoann Gourcuff and his new-found scoring touch (he scored 13 that season) propelled the club to their first title in a decade.
In winning the league, Chamakh had fulfilled his childhood dream and was ready for a new challenge. But even though he had just a year left on his contract, Bordeaux refused to sanction a €6m move to Arsenal, holding out for €8m. For the second time in four years, they were denying Chamakh the move he wanted – and for the second time Chamakh remained utterly professional, refusing to fall out with Bordeaux. He agreed to serve the last year of his contract, despite being on €20,000 a week, a salary five times lower than that of his pal Gourcuff.
Not only did he stay but he fought every bit as hard, scoring ten goals in the league and five in the Champions League. Bordeaux capitulated in the second half of the campaign, finishing sixth having led handsomely at Christmas. The collapse prompted resentment from supporters, yet Chamakh – despite openly admitting he wanted out – was never a target for abuse. The fans recognised his loyalty and loved his attitude. He could leave Bordeaux with his held high.
Chamakh may not be the best striker in the world. He may not even be as talented as Adebayor. But if it is loyalty and commitment Wenger is after, he may just have found his man.
Source: Matt Spiro, Sabotage Times on 15 Aug 10
Marouane Chamakh still has a bit to learn about diplomacy. When I met him at Bordeaux’s training ground in May, Arsenal’s summer signing committed a series of faux pas. Attempting to explain why he hadn’t moved to the Premier League when the opportunity arose a year ago, he said he had only received offers from “small clubs” like Tottenham and Sunderland. Arsenal fans, of course, won’t mind that comment. They may cringe, however, when they discover that the Moroccan named Emmanuel Adebayor as one of his role models.
Chamakh first ran into Adebayor a decade ago. He was a shy 16-year-old leading the line for Bordeaux’s youth team in a championship showdown against Metz. At the other end was another imposing, talented striker from Togo, who was already much taller than Chamakh, and more self-confident too. “He really impressed me,” Chamakh says today. “I knew then he had a big future, and ever since I’ve been trying to follow his path.”
Arsenal fans preparing to cry into their beer glasses at the thought of another greedy, self-centred forward arriving at the Emirates need not worry. Chamakh is not the same player as Adebayor – and he is certainly not the same person.
A look back at their respective careers provides ample evidence of contrasting characters. Adebayor spent two seasons at Metz before heading to Monaco where he then went on strike to force through his move to Arsenal. Little needs to be said about Adebayor’s acrimonious departure from north London, and he has certainly not become the darling of the Manchester City fans yet.
Currently in international retirement, Adebayor has performed well for Togo but is best known for an explosive bust-up with former coach Stephen Keshi and regular disputes with the Togolese FA over payments.
Chamakh, on the other hand, joined Bordeaux at 16 and left them this summer after ten years’ loyal service, receiving a long and emotional ovation from the fans at the end of his last home game. Although he was born in France, the 26-year-old has played more than 50 times for the country of his parents, Morocco, where he is a national hero and regarded as an outstanding role model for youngsters.
In his spare time, ‘Ce bon Chamakh’ – as L’Equipe newspaper branded him in a headline last season – is an ambassador for the charity ‘Mille et un Sourires’, helping disadvantaged Moroccan schoolchildren and attending social functions for elderly former servicemen.
Of course plenty of footballers associate themselves with charities; Chamakh is not a saint and Adebayor, contrary to popular belief in N5, is not all bad. Indeed, ask any Ligue 1 defender what they think of Chamakh, and they will be much more likely to show you their bruises or talk about the way he uses his elbow when he jumps than wax lyrical about his charity work.
Yet so different is he to Adebayor it makes you wonder if Arsène Wenger, who was personally stung by the City striker’s lack of loyalty, has intentionally plumped for a player who is the exact opposite.
Chamakh was seen as a major talent from the moment he broke into Bordeaux’s senior sqaud as a teenager and began pushing Christoph Dugarry and Pedro Pauleta hard for a regular place. When, aged 20, he struck ten league goals in the 2004/05 season, perennial French champions Lyon came knocking. A superb team, OL were dominating Ligue 1 at the time and Chamakh was understandably keen to team up with the likes of Michael Essien and Juninho Pernambucano.
Bordeaux stood firm, though. Chamakh was clearly unhappy but never threw a tantrum. He kept his head down and continued to work hard for his hometown club. Maybe Chamakh’s career would have progressed more quickly had he been a bit more headstrong and forced Bordeaux’s hand in 2005. After all, Les Girondins went through a barren period under Ricardo Gomes, and Chamakh scored only 16 goals in the next three seasons.
Scoring, incidentally, has never been Chamakh’s forte. Technically assured, outstanding in the air and surprisingly athletic given his height (6’2”), he has all the qualities a striker needs. Well, almost. He lacks a nose for goal. Too often he is caught on his heels when a winger gets to the byline and cuts the ball back. Yet Chamakh contributes so much it is possible to overlook this flaw. He is constantly bringing team-mates into the play, works hard in both penalty areas, and fights with the determination of an old-fashioned English target man.
His club career took off at last during his second season under Laurent Blanc. Or, to be more precise, on December 23, 2008, at Monaco’s Stade Louis II. Monaco were 3-0 up and cruising when Chamakh came off the bench in the second half and totally transformed the game. He scored two headers – the second an equaliser in the 87th minute – and then set up Fernando Cavenaghi’s injury-time winner. Monaco simply could not live with the forward’s power, and Bordeaux had found their talisman. In 2009, his brilliant understanding with Yoann Gourcuff and his new-found scoring touch (he scored 13 that season) propelled the club to their first title in a decade.
In winning the league, Chamakh had fulfilled his childhood dream and was ready for a new challenge. But even though he had just a year left on his contract, Bordeaux refused to sanction a €6m move to Arsenal, holding out for €8m. For the second time in four years, they were denying Chamakh the move he wanted – and for the second time Chamakh remained utterly professional, refusing to fall out with Bordeaux. He agreed to serve the last year of his contract, despite being on €20,000 a week, a salary five times lower than that of his pal Gourcuff.
Not only did he stay but he fought every bit as hard, scoring ten goals in the league and five in the Champions League. Bordeaux capitulated in the second half of the campaign, finishing sixth having led handsomely at Christmas. The collapse prompted resentment from supporters, yet Chamakh – despite openly admitting he wanted out – was never a target for abuse. The fans recognised his loyalty and loved his attitude. He could leave Bordeaux with his held high.
Chamakh may not be the best striker in the world. He may not even be as talented as Adebayor. But if it is loyalty and commitment Wenger is after, he may just have found his man.
Source: Matt Spiro, Sabotage Times on 15 Aug 10
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