The French centre-forward Olivier Giroud is adamant that he can prove to Arsenal fans that he is as good as Chelsea’s Costa or Man City’s Aguero, and is trying to convince Arsene Wenger that he has no need to go for Jackson Martinez to bolster the Gunners forward line.
He told L’Equipe: “I don’t have an inferiority complex. I don’t have their name, but – in terms of stats – I am just behind Costa and Aguero,”
“When people are talking about a player to come and take your place, you take it personally because it’s your position. I hear people say, ‘They have Giroud and Welbeck but they need a world-class striker.’ Meaning, us, we’re not world-class forwards.
“It spurs you on. Recently, there was a buzz around Jackson Martinez. The coach has said good things about him, the player has said he would like to come. I learned that before the Middlesbrough game [a 2-0 win]. It gave me added motivation. I was very happy to score those two goals.”
He also alluded to the (very annoying!) fact that he has an onfield drama when he misses a chance to score. “When I put my head in my hands after missing a chance, that annoys the coaches a little,”
“They want me to be more of a ‘killer’, almost insensitive.
“Diego Costa doesn’t show any emotion. I am more emotional. So I have learned to control my emotions.”
He also feels better playing with Sanchez and Welbeck has made him more relaxed on the pitch: “I’m less isolated. Before, I was the centre-forward and it was up to me to score. Now, the attention is no longer focused on a single player,”
“There’s more pace, more penetration. We’re less predictable and there is more diversity. Danny likes to cut inside. Alexis can make the difference with the ball at his feet. He brings zest and a personality that we didn’t have. He’s a Duracell battery. He never stops. His hunger is infectious.”
Olivier has certainly seemed to be in much better form since his enforced absence through injury, but the question is – Do we still need another striker to take us to the next level?