There are a certain group of strikers in Europe, that seem to be a peg above everybody else. Specifically, I’m thinking of players like Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain, Paris Saint Germain’s Edinson Cavani, Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, Chelsea’s Diego Costa and others. There are plenty that I’ve missed out.
As things currently stand, Arsenal don’t have one of these players (assuming that Alexis Sanchez qualifies as a winger and not as a striker). Sure, they’ve got plenty of attacking talent, but Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck just aren’t up there with the names I reeled off above. I wonder if this is something that Arsene Wenger will look at in the summer transfer window.
For now, however, he can only work with what he’s got. It looks like he’s going to try to get the most out Olivier Giroud. When a journalist recently noted that the Frenchman’s strike-rate is approximately one goal every two games, he responded as follows:
“I want those numbers to go down even more – he can do one in one. When you look at the numbers of the top strikers now, they approach 1.1, 1.2 [games per goal] and I think Olivier has the quality to get there.”
“He has improved on the quality of his finishing as well and let’s not forget that he’s surrounded by players who can contribute, who can create crosses, give final balls and then feed your strikers with quality. In our team he gets that.” (Source: The Express)
Because of his pace, I’m not sure that Olivier Giroud’s ever going to be up there with European football’s best. Still, there’s certainly room for improvement. As Santi Cazorla, Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott grow in confidence, they’re sure to produce more opportunities for the big Frenchman. He just needs to learn to take them on a consistent basis.
What’s most impressive about Giroud is the way he’s hit the ground running since returning from injury. It’s like he’s never been gone. With his current form as a foundation, there’s no reason why he can’t go on to bigger and better things.
What’s your take? What does the future hold for Olivier Giroud?
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Giroud is not nothing more than an average and local player. UCL isnt for mediocres like him. Only Wenger can have Giroud as its main attacker. So can Ars ever win major trophy with such a player? Only Wenger knows what he’s doing, such a dull coach.