Introducing Marouane Chamakh

I came to London and all I got was this red shirt ( (c) 2010 arsenal.com)

I figured it was time we met our newest signing – no I don’t mean the walking wounded that will be back next season and will be like “new signings.” I mean an actual new signing. You actually may have heard something about him. He used to play for Bourdeaux in the French league. His name is Marouane Chamakh. Now courtesy of Wikipedia I give you Marouane Chamakh our newest attacking option.

Full name: Marouane Chamakh
Age: 26
Height : 6’ 2”
Playing position Striker

Career Statistics:

Bourdeaux (2002-2010) 227 appearances/55 goals
Morroco (2003-2010) 53 appearances/27 goals

In 2000, at the age of 16, Chamakh accepted an offer to join the Bordeaux training academy while continuing to pursue his studies. He played 17 games and scored six goals for the club’s reserve side in Championnat de France amateur 2 before making his debut for the first team against Metz in a Coupe de la Ligue tie on 19 January 2003. His Ligue 1 debut came less than a month later, on 8 February 2003, against SC Bastia.

Despite having represented France at youth level, Chamakh made his debut for Morocco on 8 June 2003 in a African Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone.

His 13 Ligue 1 goals in 2008-09 helped Bordeaux to win the title, ending Lyon’s seven year domination. He scored five goals in nine appearance in the Champions League, netting against Juventus and Bayern Munich as Bordeaux caused an upset by finishing top of their group. He also scored against Olympiacos in the round of 16 to set up a quarter-final tie with Lyon. Chamakh scored in both legs of the tie, however it was not enough to prevent Bordeaux from being eliminated 3-2 on aggregate.

Chamakh’s impressive performances have seen him linked with numerous clubs during his time with Bordeaux. Lyon had a bid rejected in June 2007 and were criticised by Jean-Louis Triaud for their pursuit of the striker. His current contract expired in June 2010, meaning he was able to move under the Bosman ruling.

On May 21, 2010, Chamakh completed his move to Arsenal, which will take effect from July 1, 2010. He will wear the number 29, just as he did previously with Bordeaux.

Certainly the player has showed continuous improvement over the years. Many will argue that the league isn’t as competitive as the EPL and therefore the goal tallies should be greater or won’t equate in the league. Regardless, he has shown himself an able scorer for club and country. And while it remains to be seen if he is durable enough for the rough and tumble of the EPL – he is tall, he is has great positional awareness and he can get in the air for headers.

Those of us that watched more than our own favourite team in the Champion’s League will know that in addition to Yohann Gourcuff, he was the bright spot on Bourdeaux.
What remains to be seen is whether or not Chamakh marks the start of other signings or just like last year will be one signing that is passed off as our attempt at progress over the previous year.
Also the wagers begin now on exactly when and if he will be our only striker available as Robin Van Persie and the wonder Dane, Nicky B, suffer their inevitable injuries in the middle of the 2010/2011 campaign.