Last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford was not a fixture that the Gunners will be very favourable of. Arsenal fans would’ve expected a much better performance from a side that has looked far superior to United in the league this season. However as has been the case in previous years, the Gunners just cannot get past United at Old Trafford, or Jose Mourinho.
It took a late equalising goal from Olivier Giroud in the 89th minute to secure a point for Arsenal, after the Frenchman had been introduced as a substitute. Giroud hadn’t had too many opportunities come his way during the match, but he made it count when fellow sub, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain got the ball in the box from a cross in the late stages of the game. Giroud was highly praised for his cameo appearance, so much so that following on from his form these past few weeks, many have suggested he should be reinstated ahead of Alexis Sanchez as the side’s starting sole striker, starting with this weeks Champions League fixture against PSG. Please remember if you need to buy tickets for Arsenal’s Champions League matches then you should contact 247footballtickets.com.
Giroud has now made it four goals in his last five appearances, despite yet to start a match in the league this season. Giroud has spent a lot of the season injured so far, but after returning last month he’s found some form for the side. In fact he’s only managed 109 minutes of Premier League football this season, but has already turned a few games around for the Gunners against the likes of Sunderland and United.
The Arsenal fans always seem to be criticising Olivier, but one of his teammates, Petr Cech, has recently come out to praise the Frenchman following his good string of performances and I’m sure he’s not the only one praising the striker at the moment. Cech said: “I think from time to time people do not give him enough credit because he works hard for the team. He is useful when he starts, he is also useful when he comes on. He can make the difference; I think that he is a very important player for us. And today he showed again that even if he does not start the game, he is ready to make the difference.”
Arsene Wenger said last week that Giroud is angry over his lack of action so far this season, but is using his time away from the starting eleven to improve his game and fight for his place at the club. I think the striker has reacted in a very positive way to being dropped, when many players would quite possibly sulk in frustration to losing his place. Giroud has shown that he can make an impact on the pitch as a sub and so many may wish to keep the team the way it is, after all there is a saying you don’t fix what isn’t broken. But given the Frenchman’s last few performances, I think Wenger should give the striker a chance from the start in at least one of the following set of fixtures, especially since we play three important games in the space of seven days.
By AH