TheSportsCampus

Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh has declared he is ready to leave Arsenal when the January transfer window opens if he is not given more first team opportuities. The former Bordeaux man, who moved to Arsenal on a free transfer in 2010, had an excellent start to his Gunners career, but the return of Robin van Persie to full fitness midway through the 2010-11 season relegated the African star to a place on the Arsenal bench.

With Robin van Persie in stellar form right through 2011 and early 2012, Chamakh got limited opportunities to play for Arsenal, and his negligible game time resulted in a massive loss of confidence in front of goal.

However, the Moroccan shared that with the departure of Robin van Persie this summer he expected to feature more for Arsenal, but has been used sparingly by Arsene Wenger. Chamakh did play a key role in Arsenal's 7-5 win over Reading in the League Cup last week, and with the Gunners seriously struggling for goals this term, he could get a chance to stake a claim for a starting berth should Olivier Giroud continue to misfire.

Chamakh shared in an interview with radio station RMC, "The competition is always a little hard in a club like that. I expected it. It's to me to prove myself. But, in two, three months, if nothing changes, I must make a decision."

The Moroccan continued, "With the departure of Robin, I'd say that I had a playing card. And if my playing time doesn't change, I'm not fooled, I'll go away. Bordeaux? It could be a solution, if I decide to go. But my priority is to stay at Premier League."

While Arsenal fans would probably be happy to see the back of the inconsistent striker, most of them are in agreement that he wasn't used in the best possible way by Wenger, and a return to form would be welcome with 8-9 weeks still left before the transfer window opens. They would also no doubt be happier selling him to Bordeaux rather than to a Premier League rival.