Despite Arsenal sending Lukas Podolski and Yaya Sanogo out on loan this month, Arsene Wenger has made it clear that he is still fully stocked in the striking department. Olivier Giroud has now served his 3 match ban. Danny Welbeck injured his thigh against West Ham but is fully expected to be ready for the Stoke game next week.
Theo Walcott, who has always wanted to be played as a centre- forward, has now had 70 minutes action against Hull, and Joel Campbell (the new Podolski!) also made his debut at last in that game, and the youngster Chuba Akpom also came on for a cameo performance at the end. And of course we have our very own Alexis Sanchez, who can play in every position at the same time!
Wenger said on Arsenal Player after the Hull match: “We have many options when you think of the players who still have not played tonight,”
“We have many solutions up front.
“You cannot expect much from Walcott yet but fitness-wise he was good. He had good chances, made some good runs. He has to get used to contact again and that will take a little bit of time. Overall it was a positive first game.
“It’s a very important period now. We’ve had many injuries until now and hopefully everybody will be back.”
So it would seem tha Arsenal have SIX strikers available from next week, so it was no wonder that Podolski couldn’t get any game time! And that is why Wenger will not be buying any more strikers in the ear future…..