Arsenal: Can the Gunners Win the Premier League With Marouane Chamakh?

Marouane Chamakh scored on his home debut for Arsenal against AC Milan in the Emirates Cup, and following that performance justified why the Gunners spent so much time and effort attempting to bring the striker to North London.

It was a showing, backed up by others in pre-season, that proves why the Moroccan international (who has scored 27 goals from 53 caps) could possibly be a regular starter for Arsene Wenger's Arsenal team.

However, it is hard to judge a player just on their pre-season form, and as with any newcomer to the English top-flight, it's difficult adjusting to the rough-and-ready Premier League style. Then again, analysing Chamakh's form in Ligue 1 the past few seasons as well as in his first few games for Arsenal, it's clear he could have a big impact in England if he does adapt adequately to the English game.

And should Chamakh become a regular fixture in the starting line-up, the talk among some of the Emirates' faithful is the return of a 4-4-2 formation for the Gunners, with the former Bordeaux striker being supported up-front by World Cup finalist Robin Van Persie, Arsenal's most proven forward.

Tactically, this could be gold for the Gunners, switching from the 4-3-3 used last season with a lone striker to a more centralised, threatening attack with the two strikers being complemented by forward-minded, pacy, skilful wingers.

In the 2009/10 Premier League season, Arsenal finished third and scored a total of 83 goals, which despite being the third best goalscoring total in the league, was three short of Manchester United in second, and 20 short of Chelsea in first.

The Chelsea team which emerged top of the table last season played predominantly with a two-pronged strikeforce; Nicolas Anelka playing just behind Didier Drogba, supported by Frank Lampard as the playmaker and Florent Malouda from the wings.

Following Chamakh's signing, Arsenal can emulate Chelsea's tactical set-up. Of course the Gunners will have their own style and different tactics within the basic formation, but if they play similar to the 2009/10 Chelsea team on the surface, title success could be just around the corner.

A Gunners team with Marouane Chamakh up top being supported by Robin Van Persie - who scored seven goals and made seven assists as a centre-forward last season before his injury - playing just behind him, but positioned closer to the Moroccan than his midfielders, would complement the strike duo's abilities perfectly.

Van Persie, with his expert control of the ball and winger-like vision, can create the chances that Chamakh is provenly brilliant at tucking away, whilst the Dutchman's link-up play with teammates can also play into the hands of his own high class finishing technique.

As for Chamakh, his intelligent forward runs when inside the penalty area can create space for his strike partner to have a shot on goal or provide a potential goalscoing option for Van Persie, the wingers or attacking midfielder to utilise, whilst his powerful frame means, along with RVP, he can hold up against defenders and not be out-muscled by the more physical Premier League teams.

Add to the mix Samir Nasri, or Cesc Fabregas if Arsenal resist the multi-million pound overtures of Barcelona, as the playmaker and you have the twice or thrice as good version of the tactics which brought Aston Villa the FA Cup and Carling Cup success last season that the Gunners themselves couldn't even manage.

Then add to that the skilful, intelligent Andrei Arshavin on one wing and the pacy, defence-unlocking Theo Walcott (or Nasri if Fabregas stays) on the other, and possibly the most potent attack in the Premier League is formed, in theory.

And with Nicklas Bendtner and Carlos Vela perfectly capable of filling in for Van Persie and Chamakh respectively, as well as Tomas Rosicky, Abou Diaby, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey (when fit again) amongst others waiting in the wings, it's evident Arsenal do possess attacking strength in-depth.

Overall, Chamakh's arrival could well lead to Wenger adopting the 4-4-2 style of tactics which is not to dissimilar to the one that brought Chelsea the Premier League and FA Cup trophies last season.

So with that in mind, the arrival of Marouane Chamakh theoretically can bring out the best in the likes of Robin Van Persie and result tactical reform, changing to a similar style of tactics which has been proven to win league titles.

Being the clever man Wenger is, he could easily have signed Chamakh for the above reasons, hoping that in theory, his man will deliver when necessary and help bring the real goals galore back to Ashburton Grove.

However, will it be enough for Arsenal to win the 2010/11 Premier League title? Only time will tell.

Well, that and whether or not the Gunners' defence, as well as Alex Song (or Abou Diaby) in front of the back four, can hold up well enough against Wayne Rooney, Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres and co.