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Can he really follow in Henry’s and RVP’s footsteps?

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Right, I don’t know about you fellow Gooners and Goonerettes out there but I was left a little baffled and bemused when I read Arsene Wenger thinks Gervinho is capable of following in the footsteps of Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie playing in the central striking role.

For some strange reason Wenger has played the Ivorian as the main man upfront in recent games, despite signing Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud in the summer, not to mention, even though I don’t think he’s up for it, Theo Walcott, who has expressed his desire to play in the specified role.

I know Gervs has netted five goals for us already in this position, but he doesn’t look like a player who can ultimately follow in Henry’s or even Van Persie’s path.

Wenger did a magnificent job moulding Henry from a winger to a lethal striker, and done equally as good with Van Persie, but they were capable of making the switch.

For me, Gervinho doesn’t look like a guy who can lead the line. For one thing his overall decision-making is really poor for someone who has bags of experience at both club and international level. He holds on to the ball far too long for my liking and is not a powerful presence up front in terms of holding up the ball. I will give him this though, he does try. His movement and technical ability is good and he has improved on his finishing.

But can/will he become our next Van Persie? I just don’t think so.

I think because of the pace and dribbling skill he possesses he would be more effective cutting in from the wide position rather than being deployed through the middle of the front three. This job should really be appointed to Podolski who is proven in this role.

What do you guys reckon on this?

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7 comments

  • pharbo says:

    To say “I don’t think he’ll be as good as Thierry” isn’t really saying much, now is it? You’re unlikely to get many disagreeing with you.

    Where your thoughts have some merit, IMO, is where you highlight his decision-making. His game-vision is that of a wide-man. Ie, somewhat blinkered.

    Despite this, I think he could be fairly effective as a channel-running forward. The main thing I suspect he lacks is the mental aspect of the game. Does he have the fortitude and unquestioning, egotistical belief that a central forward must have in order to score consistently over a period of time? I suspect not to the degree we’d love to see.

    It’s not his physical and technical skillset that will limit his effectiveness, but his vision and mental attributes.

  • Simeon Okai says:

    Wenger knows His reasons 4 choosing gervinho! So gooners lets wait and c d result

  • Klaus says:

    Well while I have my doubts too, the point I’d like to make are the two most recent goals he has scored against Chelsea and Olymipiacos. Both were real strikers finishes, these types of finish we have not seen from him previously at Arsenal. That is certainly encouraging that he has definitely developed since last season. As for if he will stay up front long term, I’m not so sure. I feel this is more likely part of his development to make him a more lethal and prolific winger, because quite simply his goal tally last season was way below par. Giroud has been far more of a team player this season than Gervinho, with quite a few quality assists, and his hold up play has been exceptional. Gervinho simply can’t and never will be able to hold up the ball in near the same manner, so for this reason I think Giroud is the long term striking solution of the current playing group. Good to know though, that we do have options available to us.

  • shagx says:

    It’s funny how everyone thinks they know better then Wenger!

  • Mannix says:

    Gervinho cannot emulate T.Henry maybe Walcott Gervinho is a player can make a name of his own.

  • If anyone can do it, I rather think that its gonna be Podolski as our big striker… However Gervinho has had a bright start to the season (brighter than Giroud at least) so we should give him a shot.

  • keyamo ovie charles says:

    Life is abt takin risk or trying so if wenger feels gervinho can deliver,then let’s give him ? try there’s no crime or harm in trying

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