It's Official...Chamakh to Arsenal

TRANSFER NEWS


Chamakh ready for Arsenal switch

By Soccernet staff

Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh has confirmed he will join Arsenal at the end of the season and revealed he rejected offers from Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.

Chamakh, 26, is out of contract this summer and it has long been assumed he will move to Emirates Stadium, with Arsene Wenger saying last month that there was a "good chance" he would arrive.
"I am delighted to become part of the English football atmosphere," Chamakh told L'Equipe. "It is something amazing.
"Arsenal were not alone [in making an offer]. There were approaches from Liverpool, Tottenham and crazy offers from Russia that were much bigger than those from England, but I was focused on playing in the Premier League.
"Bordeaux offered me a contract extension that was almost impossible to refuse, financially - the figures were very close to those offered by Arsenal.
"I have always loved Arsenal's football. I know I will have to adapt, but I have experience of playing the short passing game from working with Yoann Gourcuff."
He added: "I am counting down the days - 11 short days. As time passes, it feels strange. I am experiencing many emotions."
Chamakh claims he would have agreed to prolong his deal at Bordeaux had they not delayed in offering him an extension.
"They should have offered me something a year earlier," he said. "I think the club and I did not understand each other. It was clear to me that if they did not extend my contract in 2009, I would have the right to leave, but then they blocked my move. I didn't take that well."
He added: "It's true that I almost cracked [and signed a new deal] but, in February, I made my decision. It would be illogical to sign a new contract with a release clause after refusing Arsenal last summer."
Chamakh, who has been with Bordeaux since the age of ten, feels he is now ready to deliver in the Premier League.
"At Bordeaux, I was the club's child," he said. "In London, I won't be a kid anymore. I have grown, I have things to prove and I am motivated to achieve them." [end story]

I am very happy for Marouane to transfer to the EPL, as it's a higher profile league.  He will be playing for a storied club, and obviously will have the French language in common with his manager.
Unfortunately for Bordeaux, he will no longer "head" their scoring drives and Yoann Gourcuff will now have to find another partner in crime to befuddle the Ligue 1 defenders.  Bordeaux has tanked at the end of this season after flying high until February. They will not be in Champions League play next year and I didn't want Marouane to miss out on this.

The other unfortunate part of this is that the Manchester United defenders will now have to contend with his heading prowess.  Vidic...Ferdinand?  Are you listening?  Mark this guy like white on rice!

And now for the obvious...Chamcuff is officially dead.  *sad face*