Malaysian Gooner

As the British tabloids go into overdrive churning out articles linking Arsenal to everyone from Gigi Buffon to Gary Coleman, one transfer that seems done is that of Bordeaux forward, Marouane Chamakh. Robin van Persie has already stated his delight at the possible signing. Van Persie though, if Arsène continues this 4-3-3 formation, will be competing with Chamakh, Eduardo, and Bedtner for the central role on the trident of attack. While all four of these players could arguably play either on the left or right side of the center forward, van Persie and Bendtner have both proven that the central role is very much their best position while Eduardo has failed to impress in any of the positions he’s played this season.

Chamakh’s height and aerial ability means that he would make the perfect (theoretically) target man. So do we drop Robin van Persie? A player who missed half the season yet still finds himself among the top goal scorers this season. Surely the only solution is to play van Persie alongside either Chamakh and Bendtner. Van Persie’s ability as a playmaker is also integral as he will be able to provide just as many as he scores.

In the coming days, I will post a thorough review of this season’s 4-3-3 formation along with its benefits and flaws. What do the Gooners think? Is it time to return to 4-4-2 or do would you rather continue with 4-3-3?

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Liverpool’s loss to Fulham yesterday made me think about a few things. Liverpool’s 5th loss of the season before even November means that they will have to pull a rabbit of of a hat to win the league this season.

But this post is not to discuss if Liverpool are capable of winning the league. While most of us Gooners aren’t too worried about our 5 season barren run, how many of us would trade away the chance to win the league for another 20 years in order to win the Champions League for the first time?

This is not a bash at Liverpool, I just wanted to know which is the priority. I for one would take the Premiership over the Champions League even this season but I know some Gooners long being the best in Europe and probably the world.

Post your comments below.

Arsenal did what all of us wanted today and that was to get the 3 points. The first game of the season can be very important as the momentum it gives you can push you on to greater heights.  This is exactly what happened against Twente, we weren’t at our best but we sealed the 3 points. Quite honestly, I could care less how dominant and deadly we look, as long as the W’s keep rolling in, I’m a happy Gooner.

Nasri gives Wenger what he didn’t have when he signed Pires’ replacement- Rosicky, speed and long shots. Nasri gives Arsenal a threat that left the club along with the legend Pires. Pires was the master of playing edge of the box football, he was lethal to the extent that defenders had to mark him OUTSIDE the box. Nasri will bring that back with his speed and ability to take shots from the edge of the box. Rosicky can also hit quite a bullet but he doesn’t have that 2 options that Pires had and now Nasri has- a) run directly at the defender b)cut-inside for a shot. Rosicky could not to that, he was not a runner. He runs to the middle, he doesn’t run straight.

Nasri’s goal was well taken and you can understand why Wenger wasn’t worried when he lost Hleb, because he replaced him with a more prolific goalscorer in Nasri. I don’t think Nasri will score anywhere near the tally Pires got at Arsenal but his ability at taking a shot from out means that he should get at least 7 or 8 goals this season.

Nasri’s goal itself was a thing of beauty. Slick passing involving Clichy, Adebayor and Denilson before the Brazilian pulled the ball back for the French wonderkid to score on his debut. A very similar goal to the winner Ade scored against Ajax a week back, perhaps a move off the training ground?

Arsenal dominated the first half but couldn’t add to their tally. West Brom improved in the second half and had short spells of pressure. A mistake from Djourou meant that the West Brom striker beat the offside trap and shoot past Almunia in goal. Djourou made up for his mistake by clearing the shot off the line. He was later shouted at by both Gallas and Almunia. Although Gallas is captain on and off the pitch, perhaps a word in the dressing room would have been much better that giving Johan an earful just before defending a dangerous corner.

West Brom couldn’t muster too much of an attack though and although Arsenal did not force Carson into a tough save in the second half, all that matters are the points- and that my friends are 3 points towards the Premier League title.

Speaking off points, the ‘big threat’ to the top 4 got none today. Forget the fact that they spent millions upon millions on attacking options like Modric, Bentley and dos Santos. Forget the fact that they lost 2-1 to a Boro side that will realistically see a top half finish this season as ‘respectable’. Forget the fact that they didn’t even get their goal until the 90th minute. Nearly 40 million pounds spent on these few ATTACKING players and what happens…

They first goal of the season was a Boro own goal. Only at The Lane….