With Arsenal being linked with moves for the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Alexandre Lacazette, there has been a lot of speculation in regards to the future of Olivier Giroud. With the player not enjoying much playing time last season and rumoured to have been frustrated over the issue, a potential return to Ligue 1 looked to be a possibility for the striker, but the Frenchman has now dismissed talks of a move and insisted that his future lies with Arsenal.
During an appearance on the French television show Telefoot, the striker said: “I am not insensitive to the approaches of the French clubs and especially that of Marseille, but my future is in the Premier League. I still have titles to win. After the FA Cup, we will go for the league title. That’s my goal.”
Personally, I’m glad that the handsome Frenchman is staying on at the Emirates. I have always believed that the problem is not Giroud, but the fact that Arsenal have only Giroud. With Danny Welbeck being consistently plagued by injuries and being absent for large spells since joining the club, Giroud has been the only out-and-out striker at the club, leaving him the most susceptible to criticism if the team have a dry spell in front of goal.
While I certainly do not believe that the 30-year-old is a hitman that can carry the team to the title, there can be no denying that the player is a valuable asset to the team, as we have seen from his cameo appearances off the bench in recent times. Moreover, you would have to respect a player who is willing to stay and fight for his place despite knowing he is not first-choice. With that being said, I really hope to see Wenger go out and get a proven striker to compliment the Gunners’ resilient target-man.
So are Arsenal fans happy to keep Giroud? Surely he can be effective in the Europa League?
AH