RVP leaving would be devasting, it's hard to imagine how bad last year would have been had we not had him in our side...and injury free. What was clear was that the gap in quality between RVP and our other strikers was embarrassing. * Chamakh - After a decent start in 2010 he lost the plot, rumors of issues in his personal life spread, I think his love affair with his hair is the real stumbling block. * Park - It's hard to critise a guy we barely saw...only 7 minutes of league action (the cynical fan would say that was against United when the whole world were watching and potential for increase shirt sales in Asia was too appealing to pass on). Possibly one of the weirdest signings we've ever made considering how we stole him from under the noses of Lille (he was in a hotel before a next day medical when our interest became clear). The lack of qualities meant RVP often played the full 90mins + and lead to his eventual exhaustion and late season dip So Podolski and potentially Giroud appear to be a very postive step in the right direction (hopefully combined with RVP)...headache is getting rid of the rest including Bendtner and Vela. In Podolski we have a player in his prime (27yrs old). He did fail at Bayern however he was young and has qualities in being mobile and adaptable to play in different positions for us as well as having an amazingly hard shot as shown in the Euros. Think he'll be used more as a wide player but confident he'll be a massive improvement and can also lead the line when needed Don't know as much about Giroud but he seems to be (without wishing to be over confident) exactly the forward we've been looking for. Admittedly he only has 2 seasons of top flight football and he only scored 12 the season before last. But his attributes are impressive based on articles from French journalists (and some extensive Youtube watching) I'm impressed with the following... * 6ft 3 - He's robust and actually very effective in the air, that's massive when trying to adapt to the Premier League * Poacher - I'm sick of "fox in the box" references (Jeffers has scared me of that) but he does seem to have a knack of being in the right place and the right time and what we've lacked for years * Direct - He's hit some very impressive shots from outside the box or first time...at Arsenal we procrastinate and although he wont get as much time and space in the Premier League we need to have a more direct approach Fingers crossed RVP stays and Giroud is a done deal...we'd have a MASSIVE improvement on last year..imagine those tight games where we were trying to get a goal back and the quality we had last year change that to seeing Podolski, RVP and Giroud all thrown on to try and nick a goal! We can then focus on strengthening our defensive structure/personnel which was another big concern
I'm excited by the way Wenger (or the directors) have gone about some rebuilding - last season and again this time. We seem to be recognising that Wenger's admirable patience with some has run its course and it is time to move on. If we are learning lessons and addressing them then there is much to look forward to.
That seems to be one aspect of our rebuilding complete leaving us with Giroud Rvp Podolski One of Campbell or afobe (no one else will be satisfied with being fourth choice) That's good depth and Giroud aside all of them can be played on the wings too. Now what's left after we get M'vila (yup I still think we will get him). Do we go for a utility defender or an attacking midfielder or promote one of our own? Not as clear cut as some may make out
That's assuming that all these quality strikers aren't being purchased with the view of a shift in formation.
If we ship out Bendtner and Chamakh and bring in Giroud our forward line will be CONSIDERABLY better than last seasons. Giroud should push for a starting place and Podolski will be a massive improvement down the left.(if we are still playing a 433 or 4231) Now all we need is to sign a top quality DM.
