…Assist provider. The striker now has three this season after laying on a goal for Aaron Ramsey.
So it has not been the perfect goalscoring start to life Olivier Giroud had in mind at Arsenal, but perhaps fans are beginning to appreciate the other qualities and options he brings to the side.
When he signed for Arsenal, we had suggested he was very much a ‘plan B’ to the Gunners typical attack, and this analysis looks at how the Gunners typical attacking game has to a degree passed him by.
Which does not go to explain his important late misses against Sunderland and Chelsea, which would have seen Arsenal a combined three points better off in the Premier League, but it does offer reasoning as to why he is not completely at home just yet.
Of course Giroud like any striker, simply needs goals. One came in the Capital One Cup against Coventry, but what he really needs is one in the Premier League or Champions League to further boost his confidence.
Last night he was only on the pitch for 10 minutes, in addition to the 25 minutes he got against Chelsea. But it was enough for him to lay on an assist for Aaron Ramsey, who sealed a 3-1 win.
He flicked on a nice cushioned header for the midfielder, utilising his physical frame to good effect, offering Arsenal an outlet up front different to the type they were used to seeing in the days of the Invincibles, with Bergkamp and Henry.
Times have moved on since then, and Van Persie wasn’t bad with his head either, while heading is among Marouane Chamakh’s best abilities, yet the rest of the Moroccan’s game has been so poor he rarely features nowadays.
Former Chelsea footballer Tony Cascarino labelled Giroud the ‘new Chamakh’ yesterday, but the Frenchman is showing he has so much more to offer, despite his nervy touch in front of goal.
Despite making just four starts, Giroud now tops the Arsenal assist charts with three, ahead of playmaker Santi Cazorla and Gervinho. The Frenchman also has a solitary goal to his name, meaning he has helped contribute four goals to the team so far this season.
Yes perhaps it should be more, but just providing the assist and having an effect will give him a boost, for in his 10 minute appearance with little time to impress, he did just that.
We just wonder if Wenger will start him in the game against West Ham this weekend, with Sam Allardyce’s teams known for their physical style, Giroud’s height and strength may be just the antidote to help them come through with three points.
Should Giroud start against the Hammers? What do you think?
image: © ronnie macdonald
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