In his press conference leading up to West Ham's encounter versus Manchester United tomorrow in the third-round of the FA Cup, West Ham manager Sam Allardyce confirmed that they've captured Arsenal forward Marouane Chamakh on a season-long loan:

Allardyce told Sky Sports News: "We've signed him for the rest of the season. I think that'll be it in terms of strikers as we need to get Andy Carroll back [to fitness]."

This benefits all parties involved: Allardyce boosts his forward depth as he awaits a return from injury and overall sub-par play from his other on-loan forward, Andy Carroll; Chamakh gains valuable playing time in both the EPL and FA Cup; Arsenal clear space for make away for potential signings this month.

While he showed early promise in the first six or so weeks of the 2010-2011 EPL season - his first with the club after moving from then-reigning Ligue 1 champions Bordeaux - Chamakh failed to inspire and challenge Robin van Persie (and, later on, Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott and, yes, Gervinho) for the center forward role in Arsene Wenger's starting XI going forward.

Here's wishing nothing but the best to him and his career.