Arsene Wenger had a big decision to make in regards to his former captain Robin van Persie over the summer. Knowing he only had one season remaining and his choice to not re-sign with Arsenal, Wenger decided to sell his leading scorer to rival Manchester United.
Arsenal is now two matches into the season and they have yet to score a single goal.
The Gunners can blame themselves to an extent as they have failed to convert a few chances in there first 180 minutes in the new English Premier League season.
A late miss from new signing Olivier Giroud in the opening match against Sunderland left fans wishing Robin van Persie was on the end of that opportunity. Against Stoke City, Arsenal played very well, yet they still were unable to convert any opportunities despite having 17 shots and 11 corner kicks in their favor.
If you look into the details of this scoreless 'drought', we must remember that the three new Arsenal signings did not take part of pre-season together. Giroud, Podolski and Cazorla only joined the team in Germany when they played a friendly match against Podolski's former club.
With very little time to get used to each other, Arsenal fans shouldn't push the panic button just yet.
Of the three, Cazorla has had more influence in the team since his arrival but that is also because he plays in a position where he needs to demand the ball and gets more opportunities on the ball. For Giroud and Podolski, Arsenal's patient and pass first style of play may keep them 'out' of the match for long periods of time.
With time, Giroud, Cazorla and Podolski will familiarize themselves with their teammates as well as the frenetic pace and physicality of the English Premier League. Giroud proved it at Montpellier that he can find the back of the net if he is given chances while Podolski and Cazorla had their fair share of contributions at their former clubs last season as well.
The front line for Arsenal is still not up to the expectations of many if not most Arsenal fans, but they can certainly look forward to a bright future with the options they have. Once the Gunners get that first goal, the pressure will finally be released and with a new and improved defensive approach, Arsenal may well be ready to finally challenge for a title.
The Gunners can blame themselves to an extent as they have failed to convert a few chances in there first 180 minutes in the new English Premier League season.
A late miss from new signing Olivier Giroud in the opening match against Sunderland left fans wishing Robin van Persie was on the end of that opportunity. Against Stoke City, Arsenal played very well, yet they still were unable to convert any opportunities despite having 17 shots and 11 corner kicks in their favor.
If you look into the details of this scoreless 'drought', we must remember that the three new Arsenal signings did not take part of pre-season together. Giroud, Podolski and Cazorla only joined the team in Germany when they played a friendly match against Podolski's former club.
With very little time to get used to each other, Arsenal fans shouldn't push the panic button just yet.
Of the three, Cazorla has had more influence in the team since his arrival but that is also because he plays in a position where he needs to demand the ball and gets more opportunities on the ball. For Giroud and Podolski, Arsenal's patient and pass first style of play may keep them 'out' of the match for long periods of time.
With time, Giroud, Cazorla and Podolski will familiarize themselves with their teammates as well as the frenetic pace and physicality of the English Premier League. Giroud proved it at Montpellier that he can find the back of the net if he is given chances while Podolski and Cazorla had their fair share of contributions at their former clubs last season as well.
The front line for Arsenal is still not up to the expectations of many if not most Arsenal fans, but they can certainly look forward to a bright future with the options they have. Once the Gunners get that first goal, the pressure will finally be released and with a new and improved defensive approach, Arsenal may well be ready to finally challenge for a title.
