Last night at the Emirates, both Marouane Chamakh and Robin Van Persie lined up together for the very first time in Arsenal’s attack. However, was the new strike duo a hit or miss?
Arsene Wenger opted to start both strikers last night in a must win game against Partizan Belgrade, but it wasn’t in a traditional 4-4-2 formation as we had hoped for. The Frenchman instead decided to stick with his trusted 4-2-3-1 system with Van Persie tucked in behind the Morrocan forward.
Earlier in the season the Arsenal boss was asked whether he would consider featuring Robin Van Persie and Marouane Chamakh in the same team, he replied:
“In 4-4-2, and with Arshavin, Walcott and Fabregas? That is not a system; that is suicide.”
It appears that Wenger was true to his word all those months back. Chamakh was deployed as the target man, whilst Van Persie sat deeper in order to create, rather than score the goals. However, there were glimpses of the 4-4-2 in the second half, which was good to see.
Having watched the match last night, I would have to say that the pairing did a decent job, but in fairness could have been a lot better. However, saying that, it was their first proper start together, so it won’t be perfect from the get go like many expected (including me). They will need time to learn how one another play and eventually, if Wenger insists on playing the two together on a regular basis, they will form a great understanding and partnership. Both strikers possess dissimilar abilities from one another, and in return offer the team different styles of play.
As stated earlier, I think Robin Van Persie and Marouane Chamakh did a decent job in the Champions League last night, and because it was their first game together, I won’t cast a judgment…yet. So, was the pairing of Van P and Chamakh a hit or miss? The answer for now is certainly inconclusive in my opinion.
I hope to see both of these guys utilized in the right way, whether this occurs is up to Wenger to decide, as he will have a tricky time choosing his team once all his players are made available. But until that time arrives, I’m sure Robin Van Persie and Marouane Chamakh can do the business for Arsenal in the final third.
Click on the image below to get your free trial of Picklive – The most innovative football game since fantasy football
Follow me on Twitter – http://twitter.com/Gunnersphere
Visit and Join our Facebook page, click HERE to do so
I don’t think they had there baest game together, but we must remember that it was the first time they played together so obviuosly they won’t be able to establish a partnership straight away, although there were some promising signs during the game.
This partner ship could be a great one in the future but they must have games together, we have to wait for Chamakh to find his feet as he said and RVP to get his match fitness, once they are 100% they could be a formidable strike partnership.