To be fair to the Arsenal and France international centre forward Olivier Giroud, his goal scoring form for club and country since breaking the long drought in front of goal that was plaguing him earlier this year has been very good. And although the big man did not score in the game against Albania yesterday he was playing in a team that struggled as a whole.
So chances were a bit thin on the ground and Giroud was unlucky to see one excellent header crash against the foot of the post. However, that did not stop the French fans from getting on his back once again. It must be hard to have the fans jeering you when you are trying your best.
They were chanting for him to be replaced and when he did it produced a massive cheer which has got to hurt, even though the man they wanted was the well loved centre forward for the local side Marseille. It remains to be seen, of course, but I think that the France boss Didier Deschamps is reasonably happy with the Arsenal striker and will probably start him again against Switzerland. It is not as if Gignac did any better after coming on.
Whatever happens, at least Giroud knows that his team will be in the next round after two late goals from Griezmann and Payet secured their progress. The Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny had a good game at the heart of the French defence and if they can repeat their clean sheet in the next game they will top the group, so maybe we shouldn’t feel too sorry for Giroud.
But should we worry about how the grief from his own fans will affect the confidence of our centre forward?
This Giroud thing is just sad to be honest. Sure he is not the most prolific goal scorer but he is one of the best at linking up with other players and plays a role in most goals when he is on the pitch. For a player who i believe scored 5 goals in his last 6 international matches (correct me if i’m wrong) to receive so much flak for not scoring in one game is a damn shame. It’s like he really can’t win no matter what he does whether it is for Arsenal or France. I wish him all the best.
they wanted benzema thats why they always boo him.
He should retire from international football
Retire? lol.. Funny thing is Benzema scored 27 goals for France in 81 apps which which is a 33% goal scoring rate overall. Giroud on the other hand scored 18 goals for France in 50 caps which is a 36% rate so technically and according to the stats, Giroud should start for France at least. Then again most people don’t care about stats so i guess i understand why they boo him.
Forget Giroud. Lets talk about Ramsey. I saw the game between England and Wales today. Ramsey runs into space then tries to turn back and loses the ball. I lost count on this. And that’s what he did for us last season. Slowing down the attack and loses possession in crucial areas. Ramsey needs to keep it simple and hope he gets back to the good Ramsey of few seasons ago.. .
Big win for England but I don’t see them reaching the semi final..
Back to Giroud.. .He is who he is. He tries a lot and gives his best. The problem is some of us see him as prolific or we want him to be.. He is not that so see him as a good striker. Slightly above average but not World class. That will save you a lot of stress.. .
Ramsey has to be sold along with Walcott Gibbs and Campbell … Giroud is bench level for a team aspiring for top honours … Need two attackers and a left back … Gotze I like but he is not impressing but what I can’t understand is why wenger didn’t buy draxler last summer he was available or griezman the summer before ….