Gervinho

Ivory Coast forward Gervinho has left Arsenal for Roma for a deal believed to be around £8 million. After struggling for consistency and limited to mainly bench appearances last season, the move is welcome for both the player and the fans.

After a bright start to last season scoring 5 goals in 7 games, Gervinho’s form became unpredictable again after the African Cup of Nations. He showed glimmers of hope that he could be a talented player for Arsenal but sadly the move never worked out and I’m sure all Arsenal fans wish him well in the Italian capital.

Marouane Chamakh

Another departure from the club could see Marouane Chamakh on his way to Crystal Palace on an initial one-year deal. He is due to have a medical today with a view to completing the deal over the weekend.

Chamakh ended a torrid loan spell at West Ham where he failed to score a single goal after finding chances hard to come by at Arsenal. Another move that didn’t work out, there was a great deal of excitement around the Moroccan when he signed on a free transfer in 2011. However, sis Champions League form for Bordeaux was never reproduced in an Arsenal shirt.

Many Arsenal fans will remember his early season form with goals against Aston Villa and a record-breaking 37 second goal against Wolves. But with a resurgent Robin van Persie single handedly keeping Arsenal above water, there was no space for Chamakh in Arsenal’s 4-3-3 formation.

Perhaps with more regular football he could have made an impact but it seems his time with Arsenal has come to an end.

Verdict

All in all, 2 very good pieces of business from Arsenal’s point of view, getting a sizeable fee for Gervinho and removing Chamakh from the wage bill. Arsenal deserve credit for getting rid of the dead wood this summer, but it is the incomings which are giving Arsenal fans a headache.

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