Few months back Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh was sitting on the thorns beseeching for chances in the first team and hoping to find an escape route. Now he finds a ray of hope of reviving his career again with West Ham after completing his loan move until the end of the season.
The 28-year-old started his senior career with Bordeaux in 2002-03 after graduating from the club’s youth academy. He spent eight long years at the club, scoring 76 goals in all competitions.
Though Arsenal signed him in 2010-11 on a free transfer but he was one of the hottest properties in Europe then with several other clubs vying for his signature.
Chamakh started the season on song but his physical fitness remained a major worry for the Gunners. He had to be substituted most of the time while the player demanded a long rest to regain his sharpness in the vital months of winter. Still, he finished his first season at the London club with 11 goals and eight assists.
The following season Chamakh made 11 starts in the Premier League only and scored just one goal. After the departure of Arsenal skipper Robin van Persie to Manchester United this summer, the Moroccan international expected to get more first team opportunities, but could only manage four first team appearances with most of them coming in cup games.
West Ham have scored 24 (19 home, 5 away) goals this season in the league and are desperately looking to improve their goal scoring records away from home. At Upton Park, Chamakh will be looking to get regular games under Sam Allardyce while the Hammers boss can hope to extract the best out of him.
Earlier in the day, West Ham have completed the transfer of midfielder Joe Cole from Liverpool on an 18-month contract.
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