Arsenal's Robin van Persie's future is still unclear. Photo: Stephen Pond/EMPICS Sport

Alan Smith is unsure whether Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski can replace Robin van Persie

Former Arsenal man Alan Smith has doubts that new signings Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski could replace the goals scored by Robin van Persie

The Gunners striker, who has a year left on his current deal, announced that he would not be signing a new contract at the north London club much to the dismay of many Gunners fans.

It had been hoped that investment in the team would convince the Dutchman to say but this has not been the case.

“He’s got a lot of hard thinking to do now, Arsene Wenger,” Smith said.

“He’s brought in Giroud and Podolski but can they replace the 37 goals he got last season? They are going to have to for Arsenal just to stand still let alone move forward.

“It’s a double blow for Arsenal because they’ve also lost a captain, and a good captain too.

“It’s going to be very difficult to make up the points they trailed Manchester City last season.

“I’m not saying, though, that they’ve got no chance at all.”