Marouane is likely to look back at the 2011/12 campaign with some disappointment, having not been able to make the impact he would have hoped for.

With Robin van Persie in such imperious form, first-team opportunities were at a premium but the Moroccan international could not quite find the momentum needed to force his way into the reckoning on a regular basis.

The season started brightly for the 28-year-old as he stepped off the bench to score with a firm header in September's defeat at Blackburn, but that proved to be the only goal he managed last term. It may have been a campaign of regret for Marouane, but he will undoubtedly come back stronger and keen to make up for lost time this season.

The striker joined the Club on a free transfer in May 2010 after a highly-productive spell at Bordeaux, and made an eye-catching start to his Arsenal career. With Van Persie out injured, the Moroccan striker scored 10 times for the Gunners before Christmas and impressed with his work-rate and link-up play.

His challenge now is to reproduce that level of performance and show exactly why Arsène Wenger has put his faith in him.