10 footballers whose careers dipped after joining Arsenal

#7: Marouane Chamakh

Chamakh was never a fit in the 4-3-3 formation with Van Persie in the squad.

Marouane Chamakh joined Arsenal on a Bosman transfer in July 2010. The Moroccan forward had caused a stir with French outfit Bordeaux before joining the Gunners. He was another bright prospect who found his career go down the spiral with limited minutes on the pitch.

Chamakh started his career admirably well, replacing the injured Robin Van Persie. But, the tables turned on him after Van Persie returned to the squad in the form of his life. Spectacular performances from the star Dutchman saw Chamakh being sidelined to the fringes.

Arsenal played a 4-3-3 formation during those times and the Moroccan was asked to fill in as a winger instead of being a centre-forward. Playing second-fiddle to Robin Van Persie harmed his potential considerably. A bright talent that once showed the hopes of being the best, Chamakh moved to Crystal Palace in 2013 in search of first-team football.

In his three years at Arsenal, Chamakh appeared only 40 times and mustered 8 goals. Chamakh should never have been bought in the first place, owing to the formation used by Arsene Wenger. But, that's what the Moroccan forward was destined to be -- an incomplete and unfinished article.