FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-CRYSTAL PALACE — Crystal Palace's French-born Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh goes down in the Manchester City box during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on January 16, 2016. Manchester City won the match 4-0. AFP PHOTO / OLI SCARFF RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / AFP / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)

Chamakh to leave Palace for Bordeaux on a free – report

Apr 23, 2016

Marouane Chamakh could be about to conclude his six-year travel around by returning to Bordeaux, a club he probably wishes he’d never left.

The former Arsenal man enjoyed a troubled time in north London and only once looked like the man Arsene Wenger told us all he was signing on a free.

Given a run of games in the absence of Robin van Persie who was out injured (shock), the Moroccan settled into the side and scored for fun, netting 10 (and assisting two) in his first 21 for the club.

But when the Dutch skunk returned to fitness, Chamakh was ousted and was never able to regain that sort of form again for the Gunners.

The scorer of Arsenal’s quickest ever goal (37 seconds v Bolton), Chamkah had a number of off-field problems which didn’t help his on-field confidence and, in the end, it was decided to that his Arsenal journey should end after just three years.

A loan to West Ham in 2013 was followed by a permanent move to Crystal Palace.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 02: Marouane Chamakh of Crystal Palace reacts during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and A.F.C. Bournemouth at Selhurst Park on February 2, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images) — LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 02: Marouane Chamakh of Crystal Palace reacts during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and A.F.C. Bournemouth at Selhurst Park on February 2, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)

Neither could be considered a success with just seven league goals in 59 appearances for the Eagles and none for the Hammers meaning that since he left France in 2010, Chamakh has scored 15 league goals.

Six FA Cup goals and three in Europe bump that total up, but it is a disappointing return from a player who was once expected to deliver so much.

He did manage to foul Mikel Arteta yet get the Arsenal captain sent off, so I suppose there’s always that.

Chamakh turned 32 in January and is expected to leave Crystal Palace in the summer on a free after making only 12 appearances this season in all competitions, scoring zero goals and providing no assists.

Even Nicklas Bendtner has scored four this season, and his club are trying to sack him.