There is no denying that 2012-13 was a difficult first season in the Premier League for Olivier Giroud. After signing for £10 million in the summer, he swiftly became Arsenal’s first choice and arguably only centre-forward.
Competition came in the form of substandard strikers, e.g. Marouane Chamakh, and out-of-position wingers, e.g. Theo Walcott, Lukas Podolski and Gervinho, each of whom proved underwhelming when leading the line.
The initial two months were no doubt tough for the French international. Several easy misses in his first few matches, notably on his debut against Sunderland, resulted in many questioning his ability. A goal was essential to kickstart his Arsenal career and when the first league goal came, against West Ham on the sixth of October, it was clearly a huge relief.
Undoubted quality
Giroud was a typical Wenger signing, young(ish), inexperienced at the top level, French and relatively cheap. His goalscoring ability however was unquestionable.
At Tours and Montpellier, the striker scored prolifically, notably in his second season at each club; in each second season he roughly doubled his tally from the previous season. Should this trend continue, Giroud will score around twenty league goals this year. He is already well on his way with two in two.
At 6’ 4’’, the 26 year-old is strong in the air, an area where Arsenal have been lacking in recent seasons: against Fenerbahce he was first to almost every goal kick. His link-up play has been sensational, if inconsistent, and he holds the ball up better than most strikers in the league. Furthermore he is starting to show signs of real quality. His touch against Fulham for Arsenal’s third goal last weekend will be one of the best first touches you will see this season.
Not the finished article
Nevertheless, Giroud remains an erratic footballer. At times brilliant, often subdued. The second leg against Fenerbahce proved he is still wasteful. A chance in the first half, when put through by Aaron Ramsey, should either have been dispatched first time, or played square into the six-yard area, illustrating how his decision making needs work. He is also particularly weak on his right foot.
His away record is worrying. Giroud has now scored thirteen Premier League goals, eleven of which have come at the Emirates, with the other two scored in London. This suggests a player who does not travel well. A striker at a club the size of Arsenal must score in big away matches.
There is still ample room for improvement, and at 26, enough time; Didier Drogba only joined Chelsea aged 26.
Against the Turkish side last night, Giroud showed how far he has come since joining Arsenal a year ago. Whilst quiet throughout, he remained poised and consistent. He held play up well, linked brilliantly with Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and Theo Walcott and made a nuisance of himself.
Whereas last season a quiet game would have meant a poor game, it now seems as though he will play well when not at his best, an ability all top players possess.
Can he lead the line for a whole season?
Is Giroud good enough to be our first choice striker? In a word, yes. While he will never score as many as Robin van Persie, Luis Suarez or Sergio Aguero, in the current system it is not essential that he does.
With Podolski, Walcott and Cazorla all reaching double figures last season, a forward who links well with the triumvirate behind him is crucial. Ten assists in all competitions last year prove that Giroud has formed an impressive understanding with Arsenal’s creative players.
Is Giroud good enough to be Arsenal’s only striker apart from Sanogo? No. Arsenal are only ever an injury away from a crisis, and an injury to Giroud would leave us incredibly short.
Sanogo looked lost for half an hour against the Turkish side. He is young, talented and physically imposing, but he is not ready to score regularly for Arsenal. Giroud will not score in every game, and is not a dynamic forward, as someone like Suarez or Karim Benzema. Arsenal must be able to change their style without having to play Podolski or Walcott in the centre.
The age of Olivier will bring plenty of goals for Arsenal. His all round game has come on leaps and bounds since signing last season. In his own words however, “it is necessary for the club to recruit another striker”.
In any case, long may we see the rise of Olivier into one of the best front men in the Premier League.
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