Gallery

6 Arsenal strikers just as bad as Bendtner – If not worse

|

Arsenal has had its fair share of bad strikers over the last couple of seasons. Many fans today are looking at Nicklas Bendtner and seeing him as the worst ever striker the club has had. In all fairness, Bendtner started off his career well at Arsenal but over the last couple of seasons he has just been bad and thus the call for him to leave Arsenal.

Having sat down and thought about other ‘bad’ strikers we have had, one wonders if Bendtner is actually all that bad compared to some of these guys:

1) Francis Jeffers

Francis Jeffers

Francis Jeffers was the ‘fox-in-the-box’ striker Arsenal had been looking for when he arrived in 2001. Jeffers was seen as a possible successor to Ian Wright and this got fans excited as he had done well at Everton.

But three years later and only 13 goals he was sent off in the 2003 Community Shield and he never played for the club again.

Having been signed for £8million, that was a lot of money in 2001.

2) Kaba Diawara

Kaba Diawara

Kaba Diawara joined Arsenal in 1999 and no one knew about him. We all know Arsene Wenger tries to sign players that no one has heard of and hopes they turn into stars; but this time with Diawara he got it very wrong.

After joining in January 1999 he made 15 appearances and failed to find the net once. Indeed, he failed to even get close. He left Arsenal 5 months after he arrived.

3) Davor Suker

Davor Suker

The Croatian legend arrived at Arsenal during the tail end of his career and never displayed his 1998 World Cup form. Having been signed for £3.5million from Real Madrid in August 1999 and having been the top scorer at the 1998 World Cup, a lot was expected from Suker at Arsenal. Suker however only managed 8 goals in 22 appearances for the Gunners.

Suker’s appearances for Arsenal were limited as Wenger preferred Bergkamp, Henry and Kanu ahead of Suker who was later sold to West Ham United in 2000.

4) Marouane Chamakh

chamakh

The Moroccan striker was signed from Bordeaux on a free transfer in 2010. Chamakh started the season well, but after Robin van Persie returned from injury, the end was in sight for Chamakh.

Chamakh managed 14 goals in 67 appearances for Arsenal before he was loaned out to West Ham. One thing Chamakh will be remembered for is scoring in six consecutive Champions League games.

5) Christopher Wreh

Christopher Wreh

Wreh was signed from Monaco in 1997 by Arsene Wenger as the Arsenal boss had previously worked with the striker at the French club. The striker just simply never got going at Arsenal only managing 5 goals in 47 appearances.

After several loan spells Wreh was eventually transferred to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.

6) Carlos Vela

Carlos Vela

Carlos Vela arrived at Arsenal as one of world football’s hottest prospects after winning the golden-boot at the 2005 Under-17 World Championship. Unable to gain a work permit, Vela was sent out on two consecutive loan spells. Once the Mexican striker was granted a work permit he impressed during his full debut scoring a hat-trick in a 6-0 Carling Cup win over Sheffield United.

Vela managed 11 goals in 64 appearances for the Gunners. Injuries and fitness problems hampered Vela who was sent out on loan for a third time to Real Sociedad in 2011 before making the move permanent in 2012.

Share this article

0 comments

  • Antique Gunmen says:

    You did spot on in Wreh,Diawara, and Jeffers. I disagree about the rest. Suker was an ex Real Madrid player in his best career, Chamakh is a bit better, and Vela just got his scoring boots when he came out as La liga top scores last season.
    However, this article will make Nicky feel better. But for his “Barca-Madrid’s delusion” he still need a rehab. LOL.

Comments are closed.