I confess to having not seen Gervinho play in the French league. I also had work yesterday so I couldn't watch the match. I've seen the goals. They're both products of his attacking runs. I've been a big fan of the rumours of Arsenal bidding for Falcao because as a striker his greatest asset is the way he moves off the ball. We need a player who will make that incisive run when our passing game renders us stoic and square. So I ask you, will Gervinho be able to do that kind of job? I don't want comments on his overall ability but the trademarks of his play.
I saw the game and I have to say I saw the same old failing in attack of the last two seasons, after Gervinho's departure. The failings are that no one has that "sniffer" instinct to take a chance in the penalty area. Arsenal players are too static in the penalty area which makes it easy to defend. So many times we get someone in a psoition to cross but too often there is hardly anyone in the box, and no one making a good run into space in the box. Gervinho had movement and guile, but will the tipi-tapi devotees in the team take advantage?
It does appear so. Having gone only on hearsay before I thought he was going to be decidedly average. Mind you, now I'm only going on two goals v Cologne.
If we have a front three of him, RVP and Walcott, that means they can all swap places continuously. All of them can be wingers AND strikers.
Arshavin isn't a great striker. If you were to involve him you'd start him on the left but move him central as an AM with VP and Walcott as strikers. Though that would leave us very narrow.
Well you see they can put say Walcott in the middle, Gervinho and VP wide. Then they could mix it up and decide Gervinho in the middle with VP and Walcott wide. Or VP in the middle and Gervinho and Walcott wide. Simples.
It's a very encouraging debut. Just what we needed, especially if he can just step up and be in the right place to score. A 25+ goal a season striker alongside RVP and Theo would easily give us 15 extra points...... enough to have won the title last season. Beef up our defence and we could have The Invincibles Mk 2
His movement looked sharp and dynamic. He has a large forhead but his chances were converted clinically. I have seen pictures and can confrim that the lad has a schlong. He has the attributes to link well with RVP and Walcott, here's hoping this is the start of a very promising threesome. With greater movement and pace in the attack this will hopefully leave space between midfield and defense for players like Wilshire, RVP, Fab and Nasri to exploit (if we keep them).
wish Gervinho is a success for you guys this season.. Need to put away a lot of chances your team creates..
