Why Gervinho could finally be the key to dominant Arsenal unlocking the opposition

The Ivorian forward helped fire Lille to the Ligue 1 title last season and could have a massive impact on the Premier League if utilised successfully by Arsene Wenger.

As another summer week passes, the fingernails of Arsenal fans shorten more and more. With less than a month to go in the transfer window, Arsene Wenger’s search for a desperately needed defensive general is still proving fruitless.

However, possibly blinded by the intricacies of their passing and deftness of their touch, few share such concerns over the Gunners’ tendency to waste their impressive amounts of possession. As the only team in the Premier League to average over 60 per cent per game and with more successful passes (16,903) than any other side last term, the Emirates outfit still only managed the sixth highest goals total at home. Evidence suggests that for all of their beauty, Arsenal still lack some much-needed bite in front of goal.

That said, with the signing of Gervinho, this is at least one area where Wenger looks to have learnt his lesson. With 15 goals in Ligue 1 last season, Gervinho’s 2010-11 tally is only bettered by Robin van Persie, who hit 18, in the Arsenal squad. The Dutchman was the only player at the club to score over 10 league goals over the last campaign. In their new £10.5 million man, however, the north Londoners have recruited a player able to take a game by the scruff of the neck and test the goalkeeper.