Arsenal legend believes Gunners lack a pure striker

Arsenal legend and current Ajax assistant manager Dennis Bergkamp recently caught up with fellow Gunners legend Martin Keown at the Ajax talent factory.

Bergkamp, who won 7 major honours under Arsene Wenger, seemed to have echoed the views of many Gooners, calling for Arsenal to sign a ‘fox in the box’:

‘Van Persie is the front player, but he is better in my old role.’

‘ They are missing an out-and-out goal scorer. Now, they play with an extra midfielder.’

Of late, the supply of balls to Robin van Persie has gone down…drastically, and the Dutch striker often finds himself left all alone up-front. As a result of this, the 28-year-old often drops deeper to collect the ball.

Bergkamp added:

‘The midfielders are all the same sort of players – you need one who wants to get in behind Van Persie.’

Under Wenger, Dennis ‘The Iceman’ Bergkamp was largely used in a 4-4-1-1 formation, where by he slotted in behind the striker (Wright, Anelka, Henry etc).

However, Wenger has stubbornly changed his ways to a more modern 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation these days.

Even if Wenger decides to switch back to a 4-4-1-1 system, questions remain as to who will play ahead of RVP – neither Gervinho nor Chamakh are poachers. It’s being spoken amongst Arsenal fans widely that Park can be the player in that mould, but will Wenger use him there or keep him as a wideman?

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