Like many Gooners I spent this summer concerned about which centre backs we would sign and as it turned out which goalkeeper we wouldn’t sign. To everyone these seemed the most obvious and needed signings, with me and many others feeling one of them (goalkeeper) still is.

But the areas most Gooners felt pretty content with were midfield and attack. Some may have liked a deputy for Alex Song, but generally midfield and attack both looked ready for the new season. However, are we now three games into the season and wondering whether or not we should have signed another striker?

When Marouane Chamakh arrived on a free most felt we now had enough strikers, especially as Arsene only plays with one up top these days. But if the season is to be as long and as fruitful as we hope do we have enough strikers? Theo Walcott and Carlos Vela are classed as forwards on the Arsenal app, however I think most would agree that Arsene rarely (if ever) plays either of them as strikers. They are played as wingers within the two wide roles and as such if I managed the Arsenal app I would class them as midfielders in much the same way Arshavin is – another who I might add is not a striker even if he played the role last year.

So this really leaves us with three actual strikers. First to discuss is Nicklas Bendtner. I have to say I like Bendtner. He offers another dimension which in the past has been lacking and you only have to remember his goals last season away to Stoke and Hull, plus at home to Wolves to clarify this point. I also like Bendtner because he doesn’t shy away. He makes mistakes (see Burnley game for clarification) but unlike others he doesn’t go missing. After embarrassing miss one and two Bendtner will still be on hand for embarrassing miss five and six. And if you’re lucky he’ll still be there for a hat-trick just a few days later (such as Porto). Unfortunately Nicklas appears to have two issues. One is the arrival of Chamakh, as in theory Chamakh offers the same dimension of height and strength – I guess only time will tell how their goal tallies compare. The second issue appears to be fitness, as Nick seems to pick up quite a few injuries. He is currently out until October I believe, some even say November?

Its Nick’s second issue which made me write this article – injuries! Our second striker to discuss is of course Robin van Persie. I’m a massive fan of Robin and think he is a world class player, who seems to really love The Arsenal – when fit he would be one of the first names on my team sheet. Sadly injuries mean this is rarely the case. Robin is now 27 years old and whilst this isn’t old, it is when a player should be in their prime and having their best years. Robin seems to be spending his prime on the treatment table. Is he just unlucky, like when he got injured scoring against United? Or is he just so brittle that any kind of contact or challenge like the one at Blackburn leaves him out for months? Mid October is now the latest, I wouldn’t be surprised if his next start is Newcastle at home on Sunday 7th November – I hope I’m wrong. Like I said I’m a massive fan of Robin, but how much longer can we consider him to be a first 11 player? Is now the time to consider him a luxury squad player who if fit is a very nice bonus option? I hate to say it but the only Robin which is reliant these days seems to be the yellow, three wheeled variety that old Del Boy drove around in.

So that leaves us to discuss our third and final striker, Marouane Chamakh. So far so good, and fingers crossed this will continue with goals really starting to flow. However, he is new to the club, new to the league, and has never been prolific. Even Arsene when talking about Chamakh has spoken more of his team play and work ethic along with the odd comment about being good in the air, as opposed to talking about how great he is in front of goal.

With the transfer window shut there isn’t much we can do except hope Marouane stays fit and scores goals, and that Cesc, Arshavin and Co. all contribute from midfield. Then we hope a little more that Robin, Nicklas and now Theo all get fit as soon as possible, and then more importantly stay fit. It may seem strange to worry about the Arsenal attack, but when you have a defence who is more than likely to concede at least one goal a game you need a strike force that can score at least two if you want to win. Let’s hope the goals keep coming, starting this Saturday. Come on you Gooners!