With the January transfer window now open for business we’ll be keeping you up-to-date with all the latest transfer gossip. Today, Marouane Chamakh leaves Arsenal.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has started to cut the ‘deadwood’ from his squad with the news that striker Marouane Chamakh has joined West Ham on loan until the end of the season, the club confirmed on their official website. 

The Moroccan forward made a good start to life in north London after joining from Bordeaux in 2010, scoring 10 times in the opening four months of the season. However, his form nose-dived when Robin van Persie returned to fitness in the New Year and he has struggled to make an impact over the last 18 months, and has not made a Premier League start since October 2011.

But West Ham have offered the 28-year-old an escape route from the Emirates with Hammers boss Sam Allardyce confirming to Sky Sports News that they’ve agreed a deal to take the striker on loan until the end of the season.

“We’ve struck a deal with Arsenal, I’m glad to say but unfortunately our registration went through too late and they’ve refused to allow him to be available for selection tomorrow (against Manchester United).

“I think that will be it in terms of strikers. We’re due to get Andy Carroll back (to fitness) so we should be okay.” Allardyce told Sky Sports

The 28-year-old has clearly fallen out-of-favour with boss Arsene Wenger so a move to Upton Park should suit all parties. With Andy Carroll out injured, West Ham need a striker and this way Chamakh can stay in London until the summer when he may secure a permanent move away from the club.

He’s never really been ‘Arsenal class’ but he always gave his all for the team so I wish him well at West Ham. But from Arsenal’s perspective, his departure makes room in the squad for a striker to come in this month and I’d like to think Arsene will be on the case quickly.

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We badly need another attacking option to compliment Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott so fingers crossed the boss brings us a late Christmas present soon. My preferred option would be David Villa. Some may say i’m dreaming but Goal.com claim we’ve made an official move and are willing to pay up to €17m for the Spaniard.

Who knows if the Goal report is accurate or not but we are Arsenal Football Club and it’s about time we were more adventurous in the transfer market, so pick up the phone Arsene, pull in a few favours from the Catalans and land Villa!

Who would you like Wenger to sign this month? Get involved in the comments section below.

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