Marouane Chamakh ready to fill the void if Robin van Persie leaves Arsenal FC

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by Crunch Sports Staff

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Marouane Chamakh (credit: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Marouane Chamakh is ready to fill the void left by Robin van Persie should the Arsenal captain leave Emirates Stadium this summer.

Manchester United are favourites to win the race to sign Van Persie, who earlier this month confirmed that he has no plans to sign an extension to his Arsenal contract, which has a further 12 months to run.

United, rivals Manchester City, and Italian champions Juventus have all lodged bids for Van Persie in the last week, but Arsenal are refusing to let him leave without their valuation being met.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger this week conceded his skipper could be on the move this summer, and although Chamakh's own future with the Gunners is also uncertain, he is ready to step up should he still be at the club when the summer transfer window closes at the end of August.

"If I am staying here with Arsenal, I will do my best for the team and give the maximum," he said.

"Last season was difficult. We were playing with just one striker [Van Persie] and that striker was the best player in Europe. There was not a lot I could do.

"I was upset because thought I could have played more but football is like that. Sometimes you do not have a chance.

"I hope this season I will play more than last. I have not spoken with the manager but I will soon."

Wenger has signed Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud this summer, meaning the competition for places will be even tougher for the Morocco international - even if Van Persie is sold.

But Chamakh added: "In the first six months after signing I had lots of games but after that I only played a few.

"Now I hope this season will be good for me and the club.

"I need more confidence. But to be confident I need to play more. I am determined to stay."

AC Milan, Barcelona, and Real Madrid have also shown interest in Van Persie in recent weeks.

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