We’ve heard a lot already about Arsenal’s failings in front of goal this season. Two games and no goals – a surprising return for an Arsene Wenger side. The Professor is known for his free-flowing attacking football with an emphasis on outscoring the opponent, rather than aiming for a 1-0 victory. So who’s to blame for the lack of goals?
It’d be harsh to apportion the blame so early on in the season, but you’d think that new signing Olivier Giroud has to be asking himself whether he’s been at his best during the Premier League’s opening games. A big miss in his debut game against Sunderland and a poor decision against Stoke (shooting when he could have released Aaron Ramsey) have cost Arsenal some points.
Time will tell whether the former Montpellier man will end up being a good signing. For what it’s worth, I think he’s got the physique and character to make it in the Premier League. But his former affiliation allows me to lead into this story offered by The Sun, concerning Montpellier’s captain Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa. It’s wittily titled ‘Put London on the Map’ – because England’s capital city is notoriously hard to locate in your average A-Z.
They claim that the Gunners are set to duke it out for the versatile defender with Chelsea. The 23-year-old is pacey, athletic and physical. He reads the game well and he’s versatile enough to play across the defense. Last season represented something of a breakout year for the youngster, who captained Montpellier to the Ligue 1 title. His strength at the back provided a launch-pad for Giroud’s goals to win games.
Thomas Vermaelen is now Arsenal captain – marking just how important he is to the team. In my mind, however, he’s some way behind Laurent Koscielny in terms of defensive prowess. Then there’s Per Mertesacker who may not be fast enough for the Premier League. Let’s not even talk about Johan Djourou. Arsenal could use a third or fourth choice striker to shore up the defense and keep the first choice options on their feet.
Yanga-Mbiwa could provide this competition and would surely challenge for a first-team place over the next couple of seasons. For this reason, I hope Wenger can fight off Chelsea’s interest.
Olivier Giroud will likely be a good signing, but you get the feeling that Yanga-Mbiwa is Montpellier’s real treasure.
What’s your take? Would the young Frenchman be a good addition at the Emirates?
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Yes, this young man would really bring a few good option to the Arsenal back-line. He is strong, quick, enjoys getting stuck in and can offer good cover right along the back-line apparently.
This is one I could see Arsene pulling out of the bag ?
Actually Giroud didn’t make a mistake against Stoke. From his point of view he couldn’t of seen Ramsey who was level at best or just behind him and secondly it would of taken a pas or Bergkamp/Pirlo-esque proportions to get it into Rambo’s path and he only played 20 minutes against Sunderland on his debut in England. Still, no point looking at the facts when they don’t support your argument eh?
”Arsenal could use a third or fourth choice striker to shore up the defense”
You mean a third or fourth choice DEFENDER!! Lol
In Giroud’s boots, i would have done the same,the Ramsey that i know would not have scored that goal. Ramsey like Theo, is grossly over rated.
First of all, I’m disappointed that you’re even up to now taking a swipe at Mertesacker with this “not quick enough for the Premier League” uninformed chants. Perhaps you too have jumped on the bandwagon of those absurd so-called pundits who “are even fit to walk my dog”, according to Roy Keane. Can you remind me of instances when the giant German was outpaced by opposing attackers? If Ferdinand can still start games for United, why not Mertesacker? You guys are being toooooooo unfair to Mertesacker. Too unfair!
He came to Arsenal on the final day of the transfer window last summer and was thrown in right away, and you expected him to play like John Terry? Besides, not every defender must play like the Chelsea man. Mertesacker has different qualities, which make him a decent player for Arsenal. His game reading ability is second to none. He brings that much needed calm to the Arsenal defense, as noted by Mr. Arsenal himself-Tony Adams (check his comments on him)
He’s a very good center back, and I’m waiting to see what Wenger will do when all the defenders are fit, because for me he’s too big a name to sit on the bench.
Yanga-Mbiwa is a good defender, but to claim that he’s the real treasure is undermining Giroud, his talent and what he did for Montpelier. In fact I’m surprised that you’re downplaying his worth, just because of his single miss against Sunderland, because his decision to shoot from range against Stoke was not a mistake at all. He said he didn’t see Ramsey’s run, and if you fail to see something, it’s not criminal. I’m sure if he had scored, you’d be singing praises of his genius, wouldn’t you? But I think his idea was extremely visionary, because Emile Heskey would never try such. Give Olivier a break, he’s class.
Let’s even not waste time on Yanga-Mbiwa, he’s staying at Montpelier, because his bosses say they’re ready to lose him for free next year than to sell him now. M’bengue, Van Der Weil, Rangel or any other full back maybe, but not him.
I love your close analysis.
giroud will struggle at the emirates because wenger is in the habit of buying players and leaving the brain behind their glory. Chaumakh-goccuff now giroud-mbiwa.