With Arsenal having signed another option up front in the shape of the Spanish striker Lucas Perez before the summer transfer window closed, the pressure is on Olivier Giroud and his position as first choice centre forward for the Gunners.
It does not help the big Frenchman that he has not yet started a game for Arsenal this season, after his late involvement with the France national team as they suffered disappointment in losing to Portugal in the final of Euro 2016.
Giroud, however, says he is not too worried about that, as reported by the Evening Standard, as he believes it has just been caution from Arsene Wenger about his fitness and playing him too much too soon after the summer break.
He said, “It is down to a lack of training since I got back from holiday. It if had been a priority, the manager would have asked me to come back sooner. That wasn’t the case. Don’t worry, everything is fine. I’m used to people doubting me. Since the start of my career, it has been the same.
“Maybe I need that so I don’t get too comfortable but between last season and the Euros, I’ve got no reason to doubt myself.”
Maybe not, and you would normally expect that a home game against an EPL club like Southampton that has not been in great form would be a game suited to the talents of Giroud as a target man to lead the line and link up the play. I am pretty sure, though, that the Arsenal forward will be hoping to start and play well for France tonight as they take on Belarus in a World Cup qualifier.
There is every reason to think that Dider Deschamps will start him, just as he did against Italy last week and was rewarded with a goal. So will Giroud prove tonight that he is the right player to start for Arsenal on Saturday?
Bob.
DEPTH. This is the beauty of the squad this season.
Hoping that injuries doesn’t ravage through the squad, we can play with different permutations and combinations.
Giroud or Perez. Giroud and Perez. Oh, I’m loving this!!
I’d expect that we start with Giroud. Then Perez comes on later regardless of how the game’s going.
I think Giroud will start against Southampton. He is yet to start a game this season and knowing Wenger he won’t start Perez against Soton. He will probably start from the bench. That’s how Wenger likes to start his new players. I think Mustafi will pair Kos but I won’t be surprise if Holding gets the nod for the game..
Not based on tonight’s performance…
haha.
oh dear
Granit”Da Hawk” Xhaka and his Swiss Crew rolled over Portugal 2-0…Nice
the hawk?!
dont get it…his mama a pigeon?
@muffdiver
Check it. Dude looks like a hawk. And when he plays, he sees everything goin down on the pitch.
If I had to choose between them then I would say start Giroud and bring on Perez during the match
But Both could play together
Perez on LW
Alexis on RW
Giroud up front
OR
Alexis LW
Theo/Ox on RW
Giroud or Perez up front
Plenty of depth for different positions and formations
I hope for this formation for PSG:
…………………..Cech
Bellerin…Koscielny…Mustafi…Monreal
…………….Xhaka…..Cazorla
Alexis……………..Ozil……………Perez
………………….Giroud
Asano scored again
sincerely hope Wenger gets to his senses and give Perez the starting role up front.
I’d be surprised if Giroud didn’t start, and Perez made a bench appearance. Iwobi back in squad now too btw. Question now becomes who plays on the right. Nobody has really locked down that spot as of yet.
Walcott. Iwobi is a leftwinger, Alexis doesn’t enjoy playing there and Walcott is of more goal-threat than all other options for RW.
he also gives the team width and stretches opposition defence rather than choke the midfield as Ramsey does.
only shortcoming is he doesn’t support defence as much, hence why Bellerin is a bit more reserved.