Chamaaaaaaaaaaakh happy with start

[Inchpräctice]

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archiv ... at-arsenal

Chamakh revels in 'great start' at Arsenal


Marouane Chamakh could not be happier with his start to life at Arsenal.

The Moroccan striker signed from Bordeaux early in the summer and has taken to the Premier League like the proverbial duck to water, scoring headers against Blackpool and Bolton as well as forcing a point-saving error from Pepe Reina at Liverpool on the opening weekend of the season.

Chamakh continued his scoring streak on Wednesday night with a precise finish in the 6-0 defeat of Braga in the Champions League and looks set to continue up front at Sunderland on Saturday in the absence of Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner.

Speaking to the Official Matchday Programme ahead of the Braga game, Chamakh admitted that his first month in an Arsenal shirt has gone even better than expected.

"For me, this is a great start to my debut season – four league games and three victories, with a group that it’s a pleasure to be part of. Everything’s going very well so far.

"[Last Saturday's opponents] Bolton resembled Blackburn in many ways, I thought. Physically and athletically they were very strong, and they pressured us very well at times. The way they played posed some problems for us.

"You might call it a typical English game, of the kind I expected when I arrived. They often played it long and then battled for the second ball. That happened when they scored their goal with a header, which we were disappointed with - but never mind, we came back with three of our own."

One of those came courtesy of Chamakh's head but, as he proved on Wednesday night, the Moroccan striker is equally adept on the ground.

"It was an excellent cross by Cesc Fabregas to create the chance [against Bolton], and fortunately my heading is a good attribute.

"But it’s not all about the high ball, I’m not afraid of playing with my feet either – we play the ball on the ground, passing it, moving it rapidly, and I like that. But yes, my strong point is with my head and that’s fine.”

[Irish_Gooner]

Im happy too

[Reverend Gooner]

Me too

[Briggsy]

Me three

[Forest]

Me four

[Goose]

He isn't much better than Bendtner

He has come from an inferior league

He only scored 10 goals last season

He is too skinny

I would prefer Carlton Cole

These were the kind of things said in the Chamakh rumour thread.

But those people feel like mugs now

[GunnGunn]

The first three are right though...lol

I still maintain he isn't that much better than Bendtner, what i always said, is that i saw him as a more graceful version of Bendtner, but i still think Bendtner is a more intelligent striker.

I am just happy with have a couple of great, powerhouse CF's..

[Yorkyblue]

He had a decent all round game before he came except the goals. That was the only worry for Arsenal really if he carried on that way. He's doing that it seems so it's all good for you really.

[Goose]

I think it's just the sheer amount of chances we create

Don't forget he won the title with Bordeaux only scoring about 15 goals, although he got a ton of assists as well.

[Inchpräctice]

The first three are right though...lol

I still maintain he isn't that much better than Bendtner, what i always said, is that i saw him as a more graceful version of Bendtner, but i still think Bendtner is a more intelligent striker.

I am just happy with have a couple of great, powerhouse CF's..

Yeah me too.

From what little I've seen of Chamakh, Bendy looks like the better dribbler but then Chamakh has better stamina and probably more pace.
It's good that they're not totally identical in the way they play.
Good for both of them to have a similar type of player putting pressure on them as well.

I think it's just the sheer amount of chances we create

Don't forget he won the title with Bordeaux only scoring about 15 goals, although he got a ton of assists as well.

What makes me laugh is that stat that everyone kept throwing around, what was it? 46 goals in seven years or something...? Can't remember now but it terrified me and many other gooners.
Right now that stat seems a bit irrelevant 'cos on current form he'll beat that in two seasons.

[GunnGunn]

In Lique 1 he had a 1 in 4 ratio, overall it was closer to 1 in 3 taking into consideration CL etc...

I always maintained that nobody should listen to that stat, players who came from other League's with absolutely dire goalscoring records came here and thrived, look at Santa Cruz as a prime example, not so much now but in his first season...for Blackburn or all teams.

Chamakh is clearly thriving here.

[Bristol_Gunner]

I also think we will give him more opportunities to score than he would have at Bordeaux. I have been very impressed with him and he has fitted in really well. One of the qualities I like the most is his work rate the other night especially he was getting so many lose balls and holding it up well.

[Goose]

The best thing is that he defends from the front

He kept tracking back and nicking the ball off the Braga midfield and restarting the attack

[Inchpräctice]

The best thing is that he defends from the front

He kept tracking back and nicking the ball off the Braga midfield and restarting the attack

I think I'm going to have to get my arse down to the Emirates to see him live.
That's the trouble with watching things on TV, you only see what they decide to show you.

[Imax2000]

I could not see Bendy running as much as chamakh did,Chamakh wont stop running till th end of the game.. about goal record, he is in progress, he scored yesterday too, 6 times in his last 6 CL games which is a record nobody has done before.
If bendy played with Bordeaux he wouldnt score more than 5 goals, in Bordeaux you will not get that much of chances Arsenal is offering.