I think it is safe to say that the Arsenal and France international centre forward Olivier Giroud has had better months. Ever since the game against Crystal Palace when Giroud scored that stunning volley, he has looked out of sorts and the fans of France and Arsenal have had no compunction about telling him what they think.
Whether it was that or something else getting to him, like someone having swapped his studs for wobbly springs, on Wednesday night in Zagreb, it was clear that his confidence is shot and his form has deserted him. So every man and his dog who knows anything about Arsenal and football was convinced that it would be Theo Walcott starting as the centre forward for Arsenal when we take on Chelsea this weekend.
Well not necessarily, according to the words of Wenger in an Arsenal.com report. The boss claimed that he had not yet made up his mind about whether to play the Frenchman or the Englishman through the middle at Stamford Bridge.
He said, “At the moment I must say that is a decision I still have to make tomorrow morning. I try to use the best solution that gives us the most efficiency offensively.
“Every game is different and that is why I don’t deny at all the quality of Walcott. I am very happy that he scored so many goals in so many starts. He shows as well that when he comes on, he can score as well, which he did in Zagreb.”
Is this Wenger just trying to keep his rival Jose Mourinho guessing or is he really still thinking about it? With the heavy rotations we have seen this week, Giroud starting against Dinamo told me that Walcott would be starting the Chelsea game, but then the injuries picked up by Pedro and Willian, two key attacking players, could have Wenger thinking that Chelsea might bring out that famous old bus. And that might make the game more suited to Giroud.
What do you think Gooners?