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Why Olivier Giroud deserves more playing time at Arsenal
The call for French Forward, Olivier Giroud to start more in the Premier League than in cup competitions seems justified after the striker came off the bench to salvage a vital point for the Arsenal fc against the Saints a few weeks ago and will definitely give manager, Arsene Wenger, a big selection headache as the Gunners travel to London Stadium on Wednesday. As fate would have it, Olivier Giroud started ahead of his compatriot, Alexandre Lacazette, and struggled to make an impact in his first Premier League start in many weeks. Lacazette went on to regain his starting berth against Newcastle, but Giroud got the nod, as he’d always had, in the lower cup competitions when West Ham came to town a few days ago.
The Frenchman has played more of a substitute role since he moved to the Emirates in the summer of 2012 from French side Montpellier for a reported fee of £9.6 million. He has featured majorly in the cup competitions having started every game in the Europa League and the League Cup, and has started only one Premier League game so far, this season having started 13 times from the bench.
The former Montpellier striker has always delivered when called upon and a typical example was when he came off the bench in the FA Cup final last season against Chelsea to assist Aaron Ramsey in scoring the winning goal as the Gunners secured a record-breaking thirteenth FA Cup triumph.
The French international boasts of a Premier League goal per minute ratio every 63 minutes and his goal at the St. Mary’s last weekend saw him equal Ole Gunnar Solksjaer substitute Premier League record of 17 goals from the bench.
Giroud is a regular starter for his National team and has been urged by France Coach, Didier Deschamps, to leave the Emirates in other to get more playing time if he wants to be guaranteed a starting berth at next summer FIFA World Cup in Russia.
His link-up play and aerial presence makes him a big threat in the opposition box and a valuable asset to the Gunners, but if Wenger can’t guarantee him a starting berth, he might heed to the words of Didier Deschamps in other to boost his chances of earning a starting berth for his country in Russia next summer.
The 31-year-old has featured in 21 games for the Gunners in all competitions so far, this season and has scored seven goals. With his current hamstring injury outlay, he certainly would be getting any game time soon, so he can focus on recovering as there would be many more games when his services will be required in the course of the season.
This guest post was written by Patrick from IPC Publishing
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Arsenal Euro 2016 Update: Giroud Opens Scoring as France Beat Romania
There is always that measure of pressure that comes playing an international tournament in front of your own turf. For the case of Olivier Giroud, there was some extra pressure as he was favored ahead of Karim Benzema, which divided opinions among the French fans.
A lot of chances fell his way and he gnashed his teeth in anguish as he failed to capitalize on most of them but in the second half, he got his reward for his sheer persistence as he reacted after the Romanian goalie fluffed at his chance to catch the ball and France was one goal to the good.
Les Bleus were in control of the game and seemed to be doing just fine but they took their feet off the pedal and allowed to the visitors to come back to the game when Patrice Evra clumsily fouled some chap in the box, leaving experienced Hungarian ref, Victor Kassai, no chance but to point to the spot. Star midfielder, Nicolae Stanciu, sent Hugo Lloris the wrong way and the visitors levelled the contest. Despite France’s incessant wave of attacking, Romania had a very clear cut chance to actually open the scoring but it took a point blank save from Lloris to deny a Romanian chap from scoring the maiden goal in the tournament.
Late on, Dimitri Payet showed his class again with a magnificent volley from quite some distance leaving the keeper rooted to the spot. Payet was substituted minutes after his match winner and the reception he got from the crowd was quite raucous, making him feel very emotional as a tear or two was seen creeping down his eyes.
This is what we ‘neutrals’ expected from the tournament and my keen focus will remain on the Gunners featuring in the competition.
Another Gunner is bracing himself for action as Switzerland take on Albania today.
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Giroud on Fire and Vardy Set for Medicals?
The warm up games are winding down as we edge closer to the European Championships and there were some Gunners involved in international duty for their respective nations. Euro hosts, France, have been doing their bit to compete in competitive friendlies as they didn’t go through the rigors of qualifiers.
Didier Deschamps has become accustomed to setting out his side in a 4-3-3 tactical setup. When France hosted Scotland, Dechamps fielded the old guard of Patrice Evra and Bacary Sagna flanked Arsenal’s own Laurent Koscielny and Adil Rami. The all-powerful and energetic midfield trio of N’Golo Kante, Blaise Matuidi and Paul Pogba provided industry at the center of the park while Olivier Giroud spearheaded the attack and he was supported by Dimitri Payet and Kingsley Coman on the wings.
Giroud opened the scoring in such a cheeky fashion and it deserved a second viewing on this blog.
Surprisingly, the pass came from an unlikely source, Bacary Sagna. I didn’t know he had an assist or two in him. Giroud doubled his money when he reacted first to Payet parried shot to hand his nation a comfortable advantage. With eight goals in his last five games for club and country, he has been doing his bit to silence his critics.
Or maybe he heard about a certain Jamie Vardy that is scheduled to have his medicals at London Colney today. At first, it sounded like a smokescreen but when his manager, Claudio Ranieri, confirmed that Arsenal had submitted a bid for the player, and the club was powerless to put up a fight, as his release clause was activated. I have done my bit on this Vardy issue and I wouldn’t bother myself writing about it again.
I am hoping for Giroud and Vardy to have wonderful campaigns in the Euros and return unscathed. Vardy also offers his versatility as he’s very playing on the right wing, just in case Arsene Wenger decides to go all Wengerly with his team selection. You know, Wenger has a knack for featuring square pegs in round holes.
More on the Vardy situation as it develops.
Have a happy Sunday.
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