Be the centre-forward Arsenal need long-term?? He's been slated this season by many, but has 5 goals in 7 appearances. To anyone, at any other club, that's a fantastic start to the season, but still he's being panned by Arsenal fans. Is that partly because we've been spoilt by the exploits of he-who-must-not-be-named? Can you see Gerv improving and becoming a true and fantastic CF for Arsenal? His directness, pace, trickery are fantastic, if he can add composure, surely he could do it?
TBF he only gets panned for his composure and finishing most of the people who question him (me included) only question that aspect of the game other wise most think he has great work rate, dribbling, speed. So yeah if he adds composure to his game there is nothing to say he cant become a great (honestly i dont think he will reach Henry, Bergkamp, RVP, Wright level) CF and who knows maybe he will. I would say this I don't think his composure has improved yet I still think he hits it as hard as he can and hopes, unlike Pod or RVP who can smash it but also can place a finish. Of his 5 goals 2 have been tap ins (the one against Mont went in off the keeper) the one against Southampton and Chelsea while being decent finishes to me really seemed to be head down and belt it finishes while the one last night i thought he kinda scuffed it. But then again his movement and ability are the reasons he was in those positions, Don't get me wrong think he has been fantastic for us and I will not mind if he scores 20 of those but if he can add composure to his game he could go a few levels up.
I know he keeps scoring, but I am not convinced yet. He is just too hit and miss to be a top player and having him as a CF says more about about our lack of options in that position. I still we need to go and spend some serious money to buy a player that can play through the middle and also has pace. Stevan Jovetic would by my choice.
RvP missed a boatload of chances as well. Every striker does. This guy is still only 25. His biggest problem is when he receives the ball, once he has it under control, he looks fantastic. I actually like him better as a striker than as a winger where he receives the ball more and has more chances to screw up.
In all honesty, I don't even think he's a particulary bad finisher - no, hear me out He really lacks composure, that much is established, but when he doesn't have time to think, and just has to thwack the ball in, his shots come off alright This is shown by his goal against chelsea and Montpellier (I think) where he didn't have much time to think, but only had one option, that is, take a touch and finish. If we can drill into him that the defenders aren't out to harvest his cranium, and he can afford to dally on the ball a bit when he's on goal, I think we'll have quite the player on our hands
The number of times he simply runs the ball out of play when he has a chance to shoot or cross is worrying. He seems to never make his mind up, always wanting to wlak the ball in. Shot and pass selection is too poor too often. Not a big game player - scuffed his lines at City badly when he should have at least made the keeper work hard.
He lacks composure and at his age it's unlikely that's going to change. However he's technically good, extremely hard working and Is very athletic. There's a lot of good qualities about Gervinho and I think he could do a decent job up top. I Would still like to see Podolski given a run up there mind.
He can offer something other players can't, so for that reason I'm beginning to think he should start every game.
As others have said, hes got a few goals already and tbf hes doing better at getting goals than Giroud who was supposed to be the new striker. And dont forget hes moved to a new position for us so will need time to adapt to the role. All in all when you take that intyo consideration I think hes doing quite well and as he settles into the new role if he continues to improve, as I expect any player in a new role to, we could have a decent striker. He also has competition. If Giroud can get on the scoresheet he may challenge Gerv for that role and then theres Walcott who wants to play there as well. With 3 players vying for one position I think it could lead to one or maybe two of them excelling in the position and the other one dropping away, probably to join our growing list of deadwood on loan around the world while we wait for someone to buy them. And that doesnt even include Podolski for that position.
Whilst he can be erratic/frustrating/maddening etc. he is actually playing very well. He causes problems for defenders, and occasionally discovers enough composure to deliver some clinical strikes. I'd start him as often as possible on current form, he's playing better than Theo and Ox as a winger, and trouncing Giroud as a striker.
Not convinced, we bought Giroud for that position and he hasn't had a proper chance yet. I'd start Giroud up front and Gerv on the wing.
I'm liking Theo as an impact sub. if we start him he'll be crap. I'd stick with the one (front 3) which started today.
Theo is fantastic as an impact sub, he has shown it at club and international level regularly. But i think he deserves to start. He is obviously working hard and playing well and last season as a regular starter he was one of our best players and worked very well with RVP, Rosicky and Sagna.
