The fact that the next game up for Arsenal is against AFC Bournemouth, one of just four clubs currently below the Gunners in the Premier League table, and will be played in front of our own crowd at the Emirates stadium should make it easy to predict the shape of the game.
Whether Arsenal win it or not is another matter, but after just three points from the first three EPL games the need is great and we all expect Arsenal to dominate the match, in terms of ball possession at least. That is one reason why Arsene Wenger will be tempted to start with Olivier Giroud in the centre forward role against the Cherries on Saturday.
Even though the boss broke the club’s transfer record to sign Alexandre Lacazette from the French club Lyon this summer, it does not mean he should automatically start and perhaps Wenger will take a page out of the France national team’s tactics in this respect.
Didier Deschamps regularly selects Giroud and then brings Lacazette off the bench and I reckon this could be the way forward for Arsenal, for now at least while the new striker settles in to English football and finds his feet in the Arsenal team.
Giroud’s presence, aerial ability and link up play, plus the fact he is looking sharp and has already won us our only EPL points off the bench against Leicester, could be vital against a Bournemouth likely to defend deep and restrict space.
Then we use the pace, footwork and movement of Lacazette when the opponents legs are tiring. Should Wenger follow the French in his use of these two Arsenal forwards this weekend and maybe on a more regular basis for now?
Bob.