A transfer first mooted in the summer of 2009 was finally consummated in May 2010 when Chamakh joined Arsenal on a free transfer from Bordeaux. With his physical presence and imposing height, the Moroccan represents a rare Plan B for a Gunners side that displays a devotion to pretty, passing football.

Born in Tonneins, France, in 1984, Chamakh joined Bordeaux's academy from FC Marmandais at the age of 16, making his breakthrough to the first team in January 2003 in a Coupe de la Ligue fixture. His first appearance in the French top flight came just a month later in a game against Bastia and in June of the same year he made his international debut for Morocco in an African Nations Cup qualifier against Sierra Leone.

Chamakh became a central figure for Bordeaux, never making less than 25 league appearances from the 2003-04 season onwards, and his peak for les Girondins came in 2009 when the club snatched the Ligue 1 title away from Lyon and also won the Coupe de la Ligue. Champions League disappointment came the following season when Lyon took revenge by ending Bordeaux's European challenge at the quarter-final stage, but in conjunction with playmaker Yoann Gourcuff, Chamakh had developed a good reputation on the continent.

Though Liverpool were also reported to be interested in the striker, Chamakh rewarded Arsenal for their prolonged pursuit by agreeing a move to Emirates Stadium. After scoring 79 goals in 293 appearances for Bordeaux, he netted in his first appearance at his new home stadium in a draw against AC Milan in the Emirates Cup in July.

Strengths: A danger in the air thanks to his height and strength, Chamakh is also adept with the ball at his feet and likes to bring team-mates into the game. This combination of strength and technique makes him an ideal player for the Premier League.

Weaknesses: His strike rate is far from impressive and Chamakh only reached treble figures in the league on three occasions in eight years at Bordeaux.

Career high: Winning the French title in 2009 as Lyon's domination finally came to an end. Chamakh scored a career-high 13 league goals.

Career low: Bordeaux's defeat to French rivals Lyon in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2010. Chamakh scored in both legs but it was not enough for Laurent Blanc's side.

Style: Imposing, unselfish, composed, an all-round striker.

Quotes: "The philosophy here is the same Laurent Blanc applied in Bordeaux during the last three seasons. So I can play the way Arsenal play, but I can bring something more too with long balls towards me if we are struggling during a game as I'm strong in the air." Marouane Chamakh, July 2010.

Trivia: Marouane Chamakh was born on the same day that the United States established full diplomatic relations with the Vatican.