Morocco international, Marouane Chamakh is still
harbouring a grudge against his former boss, Arsene Wenger. The 32 year-old
forward who signed for Cardiff City earlier this week revealed that the French
manager did not give him much chance to prove himself at Arsenal, adding that
he showed him a lack of respect.
The former Crystal Palace player who joined the
Gunners in 2010 scored a total of 8 goals in 40 appearances before leaving
three years after. Chamakh revealed he counted on Wenger’s promises to him but
left after the coach overlooked him.
He told RMC, “When I started, it went really well. I
took advantage of Van Persie’s injuries, which cleared my path. I played for
six months, I scored goals, I contributed. In January, Robin came back from
injury and overnight I found myself on the bench without any explanation.
“Yes,
obviously I’m a little bit annoyed with [Wenger], because I think I deserved
more playing time than he gave and promised me. The year passed and at the
start of the next season, he told me that the tactical system would perhaps
change and that I would maybe start with Robin. It was only promises. There was
nothing at the end of them.
He continued, “That year, Robin was incredible, he
was player of the year. I couldn’t say anything, and I wasn’t going to go and
see Wenger and tell him that I should be playing instead. Robin was a lot
better than me.
“For
the ambitions I had, I think it was a little bit of a lack of respect. I had
started well, and overnight he forgot about me just like that.
“He
asked me to be patient, told me that Robin wouldn’t play more than 10 matches
in a row, that he would get injured, but it lasted the whole year. There came a
time when I had to make a decision and I left the club.”
