Olivier Giroud has been hailed as the world’s best target man by his former team-mate Younes Belhanda, but would Arsenal fans agree?
The French striker has been consistent in front of goal in his time at the Emirates, having joined from Marseille back in 2012.
Olivier has never scored more than 16 Premier League goals in a season, a tally he has hit twice since his move, but in only one of those campaigns did he feature in almost every minute of the league term.
Giroud has struggled with niggling injuries, and the Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger appears to have countered that by rotating him in and out of the starting line-up, as well rarely allowing him to complete the full 90 minutes when he does start, and it can be difficult to hit such number in such time.
It’s the lack of goals which has left doubt in Arsenal fans mind as to his real ability, but his goal-per-minute ration has always been more than respectable, even if he has had the odd barren spell.
Giroud now has tough competition for his first-team role, and Alexandre Lacazette appears to be winning that battle currently, but former team-mate Younes Belhanda has high praise for his former team-mate.
“For me, Olivier is one of the best forwards in his role,” Belhanda said.
“He’s someone who keeps the ball up really well, who knows how to make his number 10 or his wingers play because he has a target man game few strikers have.
“There isn’t a striker in the world who’s better than him as a target man. Especially with the France team, he scores, so you can’t hold anything against him.
“At club level, he doesn’t play that much, but when you have a player in the national team who scores and helps the team win, you can’t say anything.”-
Does Giroud get enough credit for what he does for the team? Is he the best target man around?
Pat J