Is Wenger right to keep Giroud on the bench?

Giroud’s frustrated with Wenger, but does he have a point?

Despite calling season after season for a new striker, Arsenal fans are still left less than happy with the current strikers we have on our books.

Lucas Perez looked set to solve the issue, although of course he was nobody’s first choice. Almost a campaign down the line however and the Spaniard can’t get any minutes on the pitch. Alexis is proving vital in front of goal, and Welbeck was impressive on his return. But what about Olivier Giroud?

The Frenchman has not had the most consistent season and that’s largely because he’s been in and out of the team this year. Giroud has started just seven premier league games this season and finds himself as the club’s bench striker more often than not.

At 30 years old and in his 5th year with the club, Giroud is well established in North London. However the player is struggling to make the impact with the side that he desires and as a result he’s mentioned on the media that he remains quite frustrated with manager Arsene Wenger.

Giroud said: “For me, the most difficult moment was after scoring an important goal against Manchester United, I thought I had scored some points and would start against PSG… but no.”

“So I asked to speak to the coach to understand. I accept his decisions but I tell him what I think, without being negative, without antagonising. There are no misunderstandings between us.”

Giroud continued to confirm that he did eventually understand Wenger’s reasons, but obviously he still wasn’t content with the decision that he was being left out. Giroud said: “The coach explained to me that he was adopting this system [4-2-3-1] to find a defensive balance.

“Sometimes, I played with Sanchez on the left, but the rest of time I have to adapt to the tactical decisions.

“I understand the notion of balance once the ball is lost.”

At the start of the season many fans had reservations about the decision to play Alexis Sanchez up front, since he didn’t really fit the build of striker set for our wide game play. Arsenal were a team of crossing the ball into the box or almost as if we were trying to walk the ball into the net. Headers of course suited Giroud, with Alexis Sanchez being more styled to creative play and being played through on goal.

Alexis however silenced his critics and before you know it, it was Wenger who was being criticised for not playing the Chilean in the striker position sooner. Alexis held down that spot and Giroud didn’t get a look in.

In many ways I think Alexis up front does offer that extra presence in front of goal, but it has meant we’ve had to change our style of play to some extent. Giroud is being used far more as a target man to build play up and muscle with defenders, but as we’ve seen in the Frenchman’s last few games, at half time, he’s actually had less touches than both goalkeepers.

Giroud is capable of grabbing a goal, there’s no doubt about it; but does he have as much as an effect up front as Alexis Sanchez? Well it largely depends on the strength of the opposition but the majority of the time it’s fair to suggest the Chilean takes the crown.

With this in mind, Giroud shouldn’t automatically get his spot back in the side, just because he’s scored a couple of goals. Of course he’s proven effective with his goal tally, but with Giroud not getting as involved in the build up play (based on the amount of touches he gets) suggests to me that a lot of the time, the striker position is being wasted in front of goal.

By AH

13 Comments

  1. Is this a joke? The guy’s misses are pathetic. He is at best a mid table starter and at worst a squad player for a bigger club.

    The difference between him and a too striker is the conversion rate. Too strikers score and out their team on the front front. Giroud on the other hand, while doing amazing things, misses chances that are embarrassing for him.

    The fact that he celebrated his 3rd goal against Bournemouth by referencing a previous goal rather than go for a 4th just about sums up his level.

    Sanchez isn’t even a striker and gets better numbers than him. There was a season where Podolski did the same from out wide. He should just shut up and be grateful he gets to play for a club that has a name. Only Wenger thinks he is a too striker. Otherwise he would have been back in Ligue 2 years ago

    1. Looks like Some one ate the ?? ‘I’ part of your ? P’s ?
      And for argument sake… It wasn’t me .. Okay ???

  2. Well, Giroud keeps on scoring for France and maybe that shows just how forked up the balance is at Arsenal ? Isn’t it funny how our defensive play has become worse since Wenger supposedly tried to improve it?? And what’s even funnier is that Giroud has become a bench warmer at the club yet he has been given a contract extension ???

    I read that Sanchez’s international team mates Branded him as being childish,for being stroppy after their defeat against Argentina, he refused to go over and thank the fans for their support, after the game.
    That’s a shame considering the massive statue they honoured him with, oh and he also got busted driving at 150 mph, he probably thought that he owned the gaff now and that he wouldn’t get a ticket for it. ?

  3. it doesn’t really matter, nobody at the club is good enough to start upfront besides Sanchez. Have no idea why we stopped doing that. Probably because all our winger options are trash too?

  4. How much would Lukaku cost us in the summer….I really think this guy could be the game changer for us considering he has scored more than 20 goals the last 3 or 4 seasons in the PL…he has the right qualities….can score with both feet….good in the air….strong….versatile….young….ambitious…..can hold up play….speedy….not injury prone…expirience nationally. If he can be below 50 Mil….he would be a shrewd buy for us….COYG

  5. Alexis will score over 20 PL goals (Barring injury) This season . The most Giroud has ever scored in a season for us is 16. Alexis scores more from up front because he is better finisher than Giroud, Welbeck and Walcott

    He also scores more from CF than LW because there is less running and defending for a CF. He is less tired and better for his body

    Keep Alexis up front. Let him score over 20 goals. I don’t think he will beat Lukaku who has 21 but who knows

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