I went on strike for the past few days. Today I will talk about the striking options of the club.
You have three types of strikers: the goal poachers, the chance makers and the hard workers.
In Arsenal we have Robin Van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner, Eduardo Dudu Da Silva and Carlos Tevez. We also have Arshavin, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Samir Nasri, Abou Diaby and Thomas Rosicky who all operate as second or wide strikers.
Whether in a 4-4-2 or in a 4-3-3 Van Persie has shown he can operate quite efficiently as a wide forward, a second striker or a main centre forward as he has done for Holland and Arsenal. Back from his best ever season judging by the stats, most of the expectations will be on him. He scored 20 goals last season and assisted a further 10 in the league but I believe like many he could and should do a lot better if not in stats wise in playing style wise. He did not use his dribbling capabilities as well as he could. Not scoring from free kicks was a let down. But to truly be the monster he can easily be, he needs to grow in stature and becomes harder to knock off balls. I have very high hopes on him as he can go on to be one of the very top best players out there. I hope this will be his year as our trophy hunt hangs a lot on his slim shoulder.
Bendtner frustrated more than one Emirates’ faithful in last campaign with his goal missing capabilities but he more than won amend with his key goals especially away from home. He finished with a very respectable goal return and for a third option he did better than anybody else in the league. But judging by his international status and his confidence level he needs to deliver and now! With Ade departing he has his opportunity to show how big he can be. I have a lot faith on him facing this season. If there’s one player to tip for a bright season he has my vote.
If many of our up front players are known for their wastefulness in front of goal, one who can never be found guilty of wasting chances is the Coazilian number 9. Eduardo Dud is the best finisher in the league and if he can be fit he will give another dimension to our attack as the only barometer for attack is goal and he sure knows how to get one.
Another one who is believed to be clinical is young Vela. He did show a lot of nerves and technical abilities in his carling an FA cup exploits. He scored delicious chips and showed glimpses of his great potential in some of his rather limited first team opportunities in the league. How much stature can he grow this upcoming season, I would not be able to answer but judging by what I have seen of him so far he could do a decent job for once a while for us.
Another young forward is Theo Walcott. In a 4-3-3 formation he will play a lot as a wide attacker but in a 4-4-2 I can’t see him playing a lot as a striker. Nevertheless with his pace and his rather good finishing he is a player who could do very well up front.
The second striker role the one that is supposed to link the midfielder with the goal getter and create chances is a position all Arsenal players believe they are born to play. Arshavin wants to play there, so do Diaby, Rosicky, Nasri, Wilshere, Van Persie, Bendtner and even Cesc has played there a couple of times.
I believe this a position which despite the departure of Ade seems well balanced with quality, profile diversity as well as in numbers. But as a team with an attacking style we need to score high goal numbers to be successful. We need to score far more than anybody else to stand a chance of being champion!
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