Akpom to start for Arsenal on the opening day?
I knew Arsenal’s current striker situation was bad, in that we still haven’t come any closer to signing a potential forward, however the latest understanding will send even more shivers down your spine.
The Independent writes how currently Chuba Akpom is the favourite to start for Arsenal upfront on the opening weekend of the Premier League. As the paper points out, Akpom is our only recognised fully fit striker at the club (although I disagree) and so they believe it is quite likely he will at least feature in some capacity against Liverpool.
The report recognises how Arsenal are without long term absentee Danny Welbeck, whilst Olivier Giroud has been granted an extended three week holiday, until the middle of August. This means that he won’t be fully fit to face Liverpool when the new Premier League season kicks off.
Without signing a new experienced face upfront, it leaves the Gunners with Akpom, Sanogo and new signing Takuma Asano to play the all important role against a tough opposition. Whilst the Independent may feel that Akpom is the most likely to feature, I personally think Wenger would start with Walcott or Sanchez up front if Giroud is not fully fit. After those options I think Sanogo would be next on the list, given his experience with Arsenal, followed by Akpom and Asano, although there remains some confusion as to when Asano will actually join up with the Gunners.
If Arsenal truly have to kick the season off against Liverpool with one of the youth players up front, then it shows a very sorry looking Arsenal state. We deserve more as fans and the club expects more than the likes of Akpom, Sanogo or Asano to lead the line against Liverpool.
It’s times like these that no matter how much Giroud frustrates you, you desperately hope he’s fit for the Liverpool game instead of seeing Walcott etc leading the frontline.
By AH