Arsenal have offloaded one of their least used players with Marouane Chamakh agreeing a loan deal with West Ham until the end of the season, with a view to a permanent transfer.
Chamakh has not played a single minute in the English Premier League this season, only turning out in Capital One Cup games and the final match of the Champions League, after the group had been decided.
The Moroccan international, after making a solid start to life at the Emirates since joining in the summer of 2010, faded alarmingly, barely even making the 18-man squad this season.
Chamakh, along with Andre Arshavin, Sebastien Squilacci and Johan Djourou are free to find a new club, and with one player off Arsenal's wage bill, it opens up a spot for Arsene Wenger to bring in a new player.
"Striker Marouane Chamakh has joined West Ham United on loan for the remainder of the 2012/13 season," Arsenal said in a statement on their official website.
"The Morocco international has featured 67 times for the Gunners since his arrival from Ligue 1 side Bordeaux in May 2010, netting on 14 occasions.
"Chamakh will be ineligible for the Hammers' Premier League visit to Emirates Stadium later this month.
"Everyone at Arsenal Football Club wishes Marouane well for his time with Sam Allardyce's team."
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said the arrival of Chamakh to Upton Park would give him more options up front.
"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 (for the FA Cup match against Manchester United)," he said.
"I think that will be it in terms of strikers. We're due to get Andy Carroll back so we should be okay."
Chamakh said he was looking forward to playing for West Ham after seeing his chances at Arsenal diminished. "I want to play and give my best for this team," he said. "I can bring my heading, some goals and we will see what else.
"I didn't have opportunities to play recently, but I did well before and I know I am a very good striker. We played only one striker at Arsenal, so I didn't play a lot, so I hope to do so more with West Ham."
With Chamakh let go, Arsenal now have to agree deals for Arshavin, Squillaci and Djourou, all of whom earn considerable wages.
Arshavin, one of the highest earners at the club, is piquing the interest of PSV Eindhoven and Lazio and could make a loan switch, before his contract expires at the end of the season.
Squillaci revealed he has interest from several French clubs, but will wait out for the right move, with his contract also set to end in the summer. Djourou's move to Hannover is expected to be completed soon, with Wenger confirming the two defenders' futures would be sorted out by next week.
"Squillaci, if he finds a club, he will certainly go," Wenger said. "Djourou might go somewhere as well, that will be decided in the next 48 to 72 hours."
