Why Arsenal DO need a top striker to challenge Giroud

Statistics and Econometrics could be very Misleading By Galen.

I will first of all start by saying congrats to JS for the great reserch he made, and for gathering all the statistical evidence to come up with a solid case for Giroud. My argument is that for the first time in the last 10 years we have a realistic chance of actually competing for the title, so at the moment we need players that really can help take us to the next level.

Giroud has shown great improvements season after season and I have to congratulate him for that. But Diego Costa for example in his first season has done something Giroud has not been able to do for 3 full seasons at Arsenal.

Giroud has had 11, 16 and 14 league goals in the last 3 seasons.

Years——–LGApp—-LgGoals——Total App—Total Goals
2012/13——34———-11 ———- 47 ———17——-
2013/14——36———-16 ———- 51 ———22——
2014/15——27 ———14 ———- 36 ———19——

I think Giroud has done well especially as he only cost us £9.6m. I feel he has paid every penny of his transfer fee. But I also feel that he needs help…

JS can come up with every statistical and econometrical data to tell us everything we need to to know about goals, and how the burden should be shared by team mates. But Mr Wenger himself said on signing Gabriel that the most important aspect of judging a player is the “EYE”. Opta, Squawka and all the statistics are great – but nothing is more important than watching the game with your eye’s. Some players have got great statistics after the game, but if you watch the game itself they are not very good. Statistics could sometimes be very misleading.

On signing Paulista, Wenger said they look at STATDNA statistics. But that he insists that the numbers must be confirmed by the eye. “We look at interceptions, defensive errors, winning tackles – what we call tackles is committing to win the ball,” Wenger said. “Set piece receptions, these kind of things. The most important thing is through the eye.

“Does this system find players for us? That is what we look for, of course, because it is difficult to watch all the games. But what I mean is that if the numbers confirm the eye, it gives you more.”

We could come up with all idea’s to convince ourselves that we are good enough up front but the eyes tell me we are not good enough. Giroud is exactly the type of CF that defenders want to play against. I mean the premier league defenders like John Terry, Cahill, Kompany, Fonte, Skrtel, Huth, Dann, Shawcross, etc. They all want to play against a tall and powerful striker that is slow and less mobile, so that they can have that physical battle. A guy like Kompany is taken to the cleaners by guys with good movements. But when you give Kompany a guy like Giroud, then Kompany starts looking like Franco Baresi!

Giroud has always complained when a new striker is mentioned. He complained about Higuain in 2013, that for me is a weakness. He complained about Henry attacking his pride last season, and then went six games without scoring! In 2013 this is what Giroud had to say: “If the coach wants me to rest, he can do it without buying a new striker.

“Lukas Podolski is having a good comeback. Theo Walcott can play as a striker. We have the quality and the quantity.

“I would rather not see a new striker come in.”

When a team wants to win trophies they are happy for new players to come in. They are excited to get every help they need to make them winners. Cazorla, Sanchez and Nacho have all called for a new striker, because they realise the team needs help in that department. We should have no doubt about this. We should not get emotional now and say ‘what about Giroud?’ ‘What about Welbeck?’ We have an opportunity to challenge so lets go for it.

This article is not meant as a criticism of Giroud, nor is it to say that Giroud is not good enough. It is more about Arsenal bringing another option to give Giroud a push – and to give the club some help. We are not saying that Lacazette (for example) should come and be first choice striker for Arsenal. We are saying that Lacazette should come and compete with Giroud and fight for their place. We don’t want players feeling comfortable in their position. Giroud will benefit from competition.

If Ospina is leaving the club when his statistic shows he is one of the best Arsenal keepers in the last 10 years, then why should we not continue the ruthlessness by bringing a new striker? Giroud, like Ospina, has done nothing wrong. But we need to go to the next level and if there is someone out there better, like Cech or a top striker, then we should go for it.

The “Eye” is very important. My “Eyes” tell me Giroud is good but it also tells me he lacks the fear factor and the quality to be the leading striker of a team that wants to win the Premier League.

What do your eyess tell you?

My eye’s tell me Giroud is good but we can do better.
By Galen Sona.