Arsenal forward Marouane Chamakh has joined English club West Ham United on a loan for the rest of the season with a view to a permanent deal.

Marouane Chamakh loaned to West Ham United

The news was confirmed by West Ham manager Sam Allardyce on Friday afternoon who said that the Moroccan international has successfully completed his loan move to Upton Park for the next six months. He also said that due to the late registration the now-former Arsenal striker would not be available for The Hammers FA Cup third-round tie against Manchester United on Saturday.

This move would give a tremendous boost to West Ham’s attack following striker Andy Carroll’s injury.  Carroll who is loaned from Liverpool, twisted his knee earlier in December in a 1-0 loss against the Red Devils

However, not everybody seems to be happy about this transfer. Jack Sullivan, son of West Ham United’s co-owner David, took to the social networking site Twitter to express his dismay over the striker’s arrival. He said, “I am very sorry about this news Chamakh has sign a 6 month loan deal! not my pick :(” (sic)

According to Arsenal’s official website, Chamakh would also be ineligible for West Ham’s Premier League visit to The Emirates Stadium later this month.

Chamakh, 28, joined Arsenal on a free transfer from Ligue 1 Club Bordeaux in 2010 and started his life in North London with 11 goals in 21 competitive games .His form has been on a slide since then, netting the ball only once in the remainder of his first season.

In the 2011/12 season he failed to make it to the first team and did not even play a single Premier League game for the Gunners. His first team appearances have been limited to Capital One Cup where he scored twice to help Arsenal in a remarkable 7-5 win over Reading and just one other Champions League outing.

This transfer came a day after West Ham United finalised an 18-month deal with English midfielder Joe Cole in a move from Liverpool. West Ham is also eyeing Blackburn defender Martin Olsson to fill in their need of a left back.

Tags: Arsenal, English Premier League, EPL, FA Cup, Marouane Chamakh, Premier League, Sam Allardyce, Upton Park, West Ham United