Is this really the end of Arsenal’s ‘beautiful game’?

The Gunner’s second signing of the summer is all done and dusted. They’ve bought in last season’s Ligue 1 top scorer Olivier Giroud from Montpellier amongst a storm of pessimism and apathy. All signs bode well, but Arsenal fans, the miserable bunch, seem content to fear the worst. Heck, Emirates 24/7 even claim that Arsenal signing the French forward signals an end to their commitment to the ‘beautiful game’.

Arsene Wenger is often condemned for being too narrow-sighted. For having a philosophy that he’s unwilling to compromise. He likes fast, free flowing attacking football, performed by players of high technical ability. When it works, it’s marvellous to watch. When it fails, Arsene is made into a laughing stock.

And for the last seven years, it has failed. Sure there have been near misses and plenty of ‘could have beens’, but the fact remains: Arsenal’s trophy cabinet has remained bare this entire time. The Gunners are constantly criticised for ‘not having a plan B’ and now that they’ve made a signing that offers the side a little more dimension, their criticised for not sticking to their guns.

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It’s a lose-lose.

I can understand why these claims are being made. Olivier Giroud is 6 ft 3 tall and one of the most aerially dominant players in world football. He’s tough and he’s tenacious and to that degree should fit into the Premier League pretty well. But let’s not undervalue his ability along the ground. He’s a comfortable lad with the ball at his feet, is unafraid to turn and meet defenders and has a uniquely un-Arsenal like direct approach style that should win fans over.

In other words, just because the Gunners have signed Giroud, Wenger won’t suddenly start ordering them to play hoof ball. Yes he provides another option and should ensure that Arsenal are more effective from set-pieces and crosses, but otherwise I can’t see anything else changing.

The allegations of Arsenal casting off the ‘beautiful game’ seem completely unfounded. If the Gunners bring in Olivier Giroud this summer and sell Marouane Chamakh, surely that is a step towards better football? He’s not a Thierry Henry-esque player. But that’s not really what Arsenal need. They need somebody who can ease the goal scoring burden on Robin Van Persie.

And Giroud looks to be the right man for the job.

What’s your take? Will there be a switch up in Arsenal’s style next summer?

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