Giroud: an Henry or another Chamakh? Arsene Wenger’s striker hits and misses
Olivier Giroud's arrival at the Emirates makes him the second striker to sign for Arsenal this summer, and hopes are high that the new look front-line can fire Arsenal to a trophy. It's not the first time that Arsene Wenger has made a marquee signing or two however, but with mixed results in the past, talkSPORT take a look at Wenger's striker hits and misses.
Name: Marouane Chamakh
From: Bordeaux
Fee: Free transfer
Moroccan international striker Marouane Chamakh was a runaway success at Bordeaux. Under Laurent Blanc he fired his club to a league and cup double by scoring 16 and assisting seven in a season. At the Emirates it was a different story, with the Moroccan managing only a measly one goal in all competitions last season, leading to speculation that he'll be on his way out this summer. A MISS
Video evidence
Marouane Chamakh forgets he's in the attacking team and heads a corner back from whence it came...
Name: Thierry Henry
From: Juventus
Fee: £11 million
Perhaps the best signing Arsene Wenger will ever make, the Arsenal boss had followed Henry's progress as a young winger at Monaco, but they both went their seperate ways for a number of years. Wenger's initial suspicions that the Frenchman was best suited as a striker returned to him years later when, upon signing him from Juventus, the Arsenal coach converted Henry into one of the greatest forwards to grace the Premier League. Henry is as decorated as they come, and without a doubt a massive HIT
Video evidence
Henry's sheer pace and skill were a deadly combination for Arsenal...
Name: Gervinho
From: Lille
Fee: £10.8 million
A total of 18 goals and 11 assists during his final year at Lille hinted that Gervinho could be a prolific player in the right situation, so it's easy to see why Wenger decided to bring him to the Emirates. A brace during his debut against Cologne suggested the future was bright, but it seems like the longer Gervinho spends at Arsenal the worse his goalscorer's touch has become. Gervinho finished the 2011-12 season with only four goals in official competitions and had Robin Van Persie not kept Arsenal afloat with a wave of goals, the Ivory Coast forward would surely be under heavier criticism. He still has time to improve, especially with a season under his belt in England, but faces stiff competition for a starting role and, for now, Gervinho's a MISS
Video evidence
Gervinho must have learned how to do this at Arsenal...
Name: Robin van Persie
From: Feyenoord
Fee: £2.75 million
As a promising youngster at Feyenoord, Van Persie found it difficult to make a real impact due to clashes with then-coach Bert van Marwijk. Arsenal gave the Dutchman a way out, and Arsene Wenger set about converting him from a left-sided forward to a striker in the vein of Thierry Henry. Injury marred Van Persie's initial years at Arsenal, to the point where he threatened to become something of a disappointment up front for the Gunners - not because he hadn't impressed on the field, but through the frustration of unfulfilled seasons as each new injury took its toll. Things began to look up for the striker in the 2010-11 season however, but in the absence of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, it was his 37 goals in all competitions last year that solidified him as Arsenal's most important player. Van Persie dragged an often disappointing Arsenal side to valuable results, and his influence has grown so much that Wenger's decision to sign two new forwards seems partly influenced out of fear of losing the Dutchman. A HIT.
Video evidence
Van Persie is one of the few recent Arsenal recruits to produce the goods at the highest level...
Name: Emmanuel Adebayor
From: Monaco
Fee: £7m
Emmanuel Adebayor's time at Monaco prior to his Arsenal switch was difficult, if not without its success. Veterans Dado Prso and Fernando Morientes restricted his appearances at the Ligue 1 side, but with a total of 26 goals and four assists, the Togolese showed he was more than capable when called upon. A move to Arsenal in January 2006 gave him his time to shine, but it took until 2007 for Adebayor to truly find form. In the 2007-08 season, Adebayor managed 30 goals and assisted five in all competitions, winning a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year as a result. Injury prevented him from continuing his form into the next season, however, but occasional moments of genius like an overhead kick against Villarreal served as reminders of his quality. A HIT, though not likely to be remembered fondly by Arsenal supporters for other reasons...
Video evidence
Arsenal fans may have their grievences with Adebayor, but moments like this show he could be brilliant for the Gunners...
Will Giroud be an Henry or a Chamakh, and will Van Persie be around to find out? Comment below...