Arsene Wenger on Arsenal’s ‘love’ for Marouane Chamakh

Arsene Wenger has singled out Marouane Chamakh for special praise ahead of Arsenal’s clash against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The 30-year-old forward moved to Selhurst Park in the summer after being limited to just 11 Premier League appearances with the Gunners in his final two seasons at the north London club.

The striker has been a regular starter for Eagles this season and has made 22 league appearances, scoring four goals and making one assist.

He’s a great, great guy and a great player and I’m happy that it’s going well for him

Arsene Wenger

And Wenger is delighted to see the Moroccan, who moved to Arsenal from Bordeaux in 2010, find form under Tony Pulis at Palace this season.

“Chamakh is doing well and I’m happy for him because we love him here,” said Wenger.

“He had a great start here in the first six months because [Robin] van Persie was not available. After Van Persie came back he had an impossible competition because Van Persie is world class and it was very difficult for him to compete.

“He lost confidence, he didn’t play any more and he did not have exactly the career that we expected him to have here.

“But he’s a great, great guy and a great player and I’m happy that it’s going well for him.”