Although he’s still yet to convince some Arsenal fans of his quality, Olivier Giroud’s form this season has been lauded by Jack Wilshere.
The England midfielder suggests that the French striker is the club’s best player this campaign, scoring goals and providing the focal point for the team’s attacking set-up.
“He’s been really impressive,” said Wilshere. “Especially at the beginning of the season when everyone was saying that Suarez was coming in to take his place.”
“For someone playing in that position it would have been tough for him to lose his place, but he’s showed great character and, for me, he’s been our best player this season.
“He holds the ball up and brings others into play. He’s learned that the Premier League is tough and sometimes you have to push defenders off the ball.
“He’s got a great physique and a great base of fitness. In pre-season he’s always first in the running and that’s surprising for a striker.”
Giroud moved into double figures for the season with the Southampton strikes, and is well on course to better his total of 17 goals in all competitions from the previous campaign.
I’ll get some hate for this, but I still feel that Giroud needs to keep improving his touch and technique. Beautiful flicks aside, he often seems to slow things down when we attack (showing that he isn’t of the quality of Ozil, Cazorla, etc.) and gives possession away too cheaply at times. While he is a different player to strikers like Rooney and Suarez and thus has a different role, I still think we lack a striker who, when they’re on the ball, you feel something can happen out of nothing. Sometimes it’s as if Ozil doesn’t really have anyone… Read more »
i think in regards to slowing down the game, you probably mean that he really isn’t the type who can really run with the ball and past a couple of players and although, he has surprise us even in this department a few times, our style of play is such that it is not really necessary. and as you and many people are saying, we need a striker who brings something different that gioroud, we have got them, podolski is a striker who can get a goal out of anywhere as we have seen numerous times, and walcott is a… Read more »
That’s fair enough, but I don’t mean dribbling players specifically. Van Persie (dare I say his filthy name) was someone with incredible touch and finishing – but not a player you expected to dribble past defenders. I think Giroud isn’t quite clinical enough in that respect, as his touch isn’t anything special and you don’t expect him to score fantastic goals so much. I suppose it’s a difficult decision as to whether the team should have someone with pace and dribbling ability, or a target man. While Giroud is the type of character we need, who can challenge for aerial… Read more »
Giroud gets the ball a lot with his back to goal because he essentially plays as a lone striker. I think he is more skilled than we sometimes give him credit for but as a lone striker he is often marked when he receives the ball so the focus is on his hold up play which has been good, and his work rate to keep defenders busy which has been superb! I agree though that we could do with a different kind of striker but we’ll always need him because I doubt we ll get someone who does what Giroud… Read more »
“giroud’s touch isn’t anything special’ come on man, how can you say that ?? almost everuthing he does is based on his first touch, it is near perfect.
It isn’t special. Watch Ozil control a pass and then watch Giroud control one. There’s a big difference. Anyway don’t get me wrong, I think Giroud is underrated (at least outside of the Arsenal fanbase). He’s a great striker. But I think it poses an interesting argument. Does having a “Suarez” take away the focus of our passing game? Do we need a big forward who can hold the ball up for our epic midfielders? To sum it up though, I just think (especially since our game is based on short passing and playing out from the back) having a… Read more »
RVP had one good (complete) season with 30 goals and he left for ManU. I would take Giroud over many other so called special talents simply because he puts in a real shift. Sometimes technicality isnt the only thing required. We have abundance of technical players. I’d rather have a guy who gives his everything for the cause.
It is for a reason that he is one of the most loved among all our players.
currently, with so many creative midfielders in the team, it does not look like we are going to play two strikers. As far as suarez goes, even with his prodigious skill, thrusting that kind of a character in the team does not seem like a good idea to me, its enough we have got to deal with bedtner. So, as a lone striker, the best option is to play someone who can hold up the ball like giroud, or someone with pace like walcott, or someone with a bit of both in addition to a real knack for goals like… Read more »
I look at united, city and Liverpool and the view is a nice one Matthew they are all below us. I think Giroud has been outstanding this season and dare I say it I think he will get even better.
He’s a striker. He doesn’t have to develop nippy midfielder skills. He has a set of skills that the rest of the team lacks. He is just right for the job he does, and I for one would not like to see him trying to play quicker like Ozil, as that would be a waste of the unique skills he brings to the team.
When you start to compare strikers albeit all of them good, one will always fall short in one department that the other may be good at. Suarez may have the skills to beat his man, run rings etc but does have the tenacity and presence that giroud posseses? which btw has played a major role in almost everything good we do in the final third? we are not naive, we know Giroud isnt the best with his feet but for all his other strong points he has been immense and as i look at the prem table we’re alas! TOP… Read more »
I agree with you. Also I think he has reached the stage from a physical standpoint and with his (underrated) movement where he fully occupies both opposition centre backs for most of the match. For me if I had to imagine defending against various premier league strikers I think OG would be very high on the list of guys I’d not look forward to facing.
Having said that if we could pair him with someone like Aguero would that be awesome? Of course it would. But it would take away from what we do elsewhere on the pitch.
If you are talking about his touch, the best example I can think of just how good he is, was the 77th minute on Saturday.
Özi lofted a beautiful ball upfield to Walcott on the right, one touch from him and there was danger, but it was just too far ahead of Giroud.
I was cursing, because swap the 2 attackers and it should have been 2-0. With Giroud’s touch, the ball would have been dropped in Walcott’s path. The only question would have been if Theo could put it away.
HFB…..
Nananana…nananana…
GIROUUUUUUUD!
I believe its pronounced “naa naa naa naa na na naaaaaaaaa, na na na naaaaaa”
Although you could do yours to the Batman theme replacing him with Giroud.
KAPOW!!!!
They should increase girouds pace on difa 14 to atleast 79
That someone special will then be criticed for not holding up play, not being strong enough etc etc. Basically there aren’t many Thierry Henrys around so what we have is a great player which certainly suits our game… Plus his handsomeness is unmatched..
well said jack. he has been indispensable and his goals have been crucial in our position at the top of the league. if he stays fit we win the league. Simple. it’s unrealistic for us to get a big name striker in january and as such his role becomes even more vital. with theo returning and podolski due back soon I think we have sufficient options for scoring goals. in the summer we bring in a big name striker and we simply win the league again. Back to back. The future is bright the future is red and white.
Giroud is an extremely good litmus test for any fan’s footballing knowledge, the only people who still don’t rate him now are the numpties who know nothing about footy. While he may lack pace, it is clear from what he brings into the side that his lack of pace is clearly outweighed buy his immense work rate, physicality and link up play with the rest of the team, especially from a defensive point of view. Just count the number of times he has won us corners and set pieces which have resulted in goals AND the number of times he… Read more »
As much as I rate Giroud since he came to the club, it’s hard to argue that the club would not benefit from having someone such as suarez (sorry) available – someone very good one on one and with a killer instinct, if for nothing else then for catching up in the rare case when we are losing. Subsituing on of the midfielders for such a striker to play beyond Giroud would give a massive boost. Also, from time to time, such a player would start to give Giroud some rest. Of course, suarez and such would never play a… Read more »
Ramsey’s been doing that “killer instinct” thing for us this season. It would be nice to have a forward with the skills of a Suarez, but I wouldn’t want the actual Suarez.
Its good to see him get goals but just a little more needed on the pace tactics now theo back this can be advantageous.
I love the guy.but to say he is a top level striker is another thing.Pace is often vital for a main striker.as you are always left with only 1 or maybe 3 defenders to exploit before getting in a great position to finish.What makes thierry so great was because he make use of his pace and skill to slide pass the defenders with ease by playing upfront.Bergkamp was an exception as even though he is slow,his one touch play on the ball was god-like.He provide vital link-up play with ease as well.For giroud he is getting there with his link-up… Read more »
He’s scored ten goals this season, wins nearly every single header, has a bunch of assists and worked wonderfully with Wilshere to provide a serious contender for goal of the season.
How has he not yet proved you wrong?
Luca Toni was a very good player. So is Mario Gomez. So isFernando Llorente. So was/is Miroslav Klose. So was Smudger Smith. So was David Trezeguet. And given the right tactical setup, Andy Carroll, Nikola Zigic, Jan Koller, Edin Dzeko, and players like Steven Fletcher and Rickie Lambert have found degrees of success, despite not having the kind of pace you talk about. Even Falcao isn’t that quick. Not every great striker plays like Thierry Henry, it’s one of the beautiful things about football really, all sorts of types of players can be outstanding and influential in any position. You… Read more »
Where the fuck should he be dribbling the ball to? He is our hold up player. His passes to other players if he cannot shoot himself are what we want him for. If he’s dribbling instead of flicking the ball on or shooting then we’re going slower, not quicker.
wrong, in this case pace is not “vital”.
and giroud is not that slow to begin with.
Gervinho has loads of pace and could dribble. Would you rather have him back, playing instead of Giroud?
Thought so.
Giroud is like an old fashioned centre forward. He’s tall, strong and powerful. Arsene says that he’s a ‘quite different from everyone else in the team’. But that suits our game plan because all around him are fast technical players so he adds something really different, another arrow in the quiver. But the thing about Giroud is that he’s more than just the average old fashioned centre forward. He does have deceptive speed, he does have a very good technique for a big man. He really is an excellent and unique player.
Understand what you’re getting at Matthew, but think Bobs makes some good points – particularly on the defensive side. Thing is we’ve been totally spoilt with some of the forwards we’ve had and Giroud is different to them, but he’s vital to the team and the way we play these days. Interesting that commentators and pundits whack off over Rooney hitting double figures, plus talk about his assists and work rate, but it kind of passes by quietly with Giroud. That’s not a bad thing by the way. As long as we keep picking up the points, fuck what anyone… Read more »
Yeah that’s right. I think some people aren’t convinced with Giroud because we’re used to an Henry style striker. Arsene has opted for a different style and people just aren’t used to it (he’s too slow etc). When was the last time we had a proper ‘british style’ centre forward, Alan Smith?
Giroud’s technique is really blossoming under Wenger too, just re-watch that amazing Wilshere goal.
I’d rather we Suarez and Giroud. But Giroud is good. There’s a lot of bollocks talked about him. Same number of goals as RVP now. Assists galore. Good in defense, good at bringing in other players and holding up play. Unselfish.
Theo and him assisted each other 7 times each last season – looking forward to seeing them combining again now.
Wilshere hails character and form of Giroud.
The fans of Arsenal hails that and also the 6-0 trashing of the transfer market king – spuds!
Two words. John Radford! Nuff said
Lazy football pundits: Giroud is too slow. Not really world class. Arsenal need another striker. Blah, blah, blah…
(Giroud scores wonder goal against England in Brazil)
LFP: Giroud is sublime. Yes, I’ve always thought so actually.
Wait till Barca,Madrid or PSG come for him in the summer and he goes then you start mourning again.
I may sound biased because I think RVP’s a cock but Giroud, for me, is a much better fit in our squad. With RVP, it was all about satisfying his needs and not expressing individual values but when Giroud’s up front, he plays others into the game.
Ozil may have provided more assists with someone like RVP, but he will shine with Giroud, and more importantly, enjoy his football.
Plus, Giroud’s ridiculously handsome, so that helps.
As long as he keeps banging in the goals and we remain at the top i don’t care what else he does.
We, as gooners, just have to accept that our HFB is not another Henry (pace and deadly finishes), Bergkamp (exceptional vision and touches of a god), or even Kanu (silky touches, dribbling that befits his height). He is in his own mould — a dedicated striker that holds up play, links up the passes in the final third, works his socks off for the team, and helps out wherever is needed. Yes, he lacks the “wow” factor. But he signifiies what the current Arsenal squad is — we don’t need a Suarez to tear up defence, nor do we need… Read more »
That made my day. You are sick if you hate HFB. Naaaa nanaanana nananana!!!
The point about Giroud is that his style would gel perfectly well with an Henry (pace and deadly finishes), Bergkamp (exceptional vision and touches of a god), or even Kanu (silky touches, dribbling that befits his height). A new striker like any of the above would be fine in January as they would all benefit from playing alongside Giroud, just as Podolski and especially Walcott learned last season. With Giroud and the players we already have any skilled striker could excel with us, and we could happily play 4-5-1, 4-4-2, 4-4-1-1 and still be a powerful team. Giroud gives us… Read more »
…and our midfield isn’t too shoddy, either. We are truly becoming a team where the opposition can’t tell where the next goal will come at them from.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BURnfFozfO4 3:35 – just when I thought I couldn’t like him any more, he’s mates with Remi Gaillard …
Classical case of the grass always being greener at the other side. Giroud plays like our former player Alan Smith and his style is just fine for the style we play.I think the difficulty some of u have is the fact that until Giroud we had henry and the traitor we can’t get past the fact that u can have a different style and still be efficient. Oh and by the way knowing wenger I think those thinking we are going to buy a new big name striker don’t really know Wenger. he might have gotten ozil but that doesnt… Read more »
Diego Costa 🙂
This is just a theory I just came up with but maybe HFB’s success will make it a little harder in the January window since not a lot of top quality strikers would like to come here and sit on the bench while Giroud is smashing in crosses at the near post?
People questioning his technique, have you ever seen him chase a seemingly impossible lofted through ball, stretch out his perfectly chiseled leg and the ball just sticks on his foot like glue? The only big target man with that kind of touch I can think of is mr. Ibrahimovic.
I’m amazed some are still unconvinced by Giroud. He is vital to this team and even if we replaced him with a top, top striker like Bitey McRacistson the chances are performances of the team as a whole would suffer. Olivier is the lynchpin of our attack with his knockdowns and flicks. Add to that his work-rate, desire, defensive work, a goal tally in double figures and a chiseled jaw and it is clear the guy is awesomeness personified.
Giroud will never be everyone’s cup of tea simply because he doesn’t fit this model of what a “top” striker should be. Never mind the fact that he is perfect for the way we are set up currently and contributes greatly in defence.
People say he is slow and can’t dribble. So what? He can monster defenders physically, he plays a vital role in our build up play and has double figures for goals this season already.
What more do you want?
Know that I love you HFB.
You don’t do much wrong for me.
People here hating obviously cant see…
your the the ball in the canon and your our main man G.
Don’t think any hating is going on, just gooners having a discussion
Personally I think we missed a trick in not signing Soldado. The concourse outside the Emirates is looking rather empty and could do with another statue.
Top top top quality comment!
Dont need a big name just 1 or 2 squad players. Oh and a couple of 2 year extensions for bac’s and tom
I think we need a reminder of last season when we tried to play Theo centra v strong defenders or Poldi central.It showed how much Giroud’s skills matter
To anybody who thinks you just need pace walcott would be bagging 30 goals a season if that was the case. U also need technique, movement, vision and finishing ability, and if wenger was to get abother striker i think remy woudnt do too badly andout 6million arsebal might be good for his world cup prospects but hes similar to podolski so…
*another *about *arsenal
After all will have been said and done, Giroud should start using his right foot also apart from standing nd we shall need No striker in January. We are at the SUMMIT
Striker in January is possible. Wenger won’t say it because it will quite obviously drive prices up. A lot will depend on movement by other clubs. The top end strikers are far and few in between. MEanwhile it seems Wenger is (as we all are) not convinced Bendtner is able to turn things around for himseld (or has the gumption to do so) Therefore (aside from the inexperienced Sanogo), a back up to what Giroud does is lacking. Podolski is an option but is a different sort of striker and one who may possibly be able to be played through… Read more »
Not sure why people go on about his poor touch. His touch has been excellent particularly those flick ons (eg Jack’s goal against Norwich) He is working in very tight and confined spaces and he manages to use his strength to hold the ball but if you look closely, he also has a knack for cushioning the ball down perfectly now. The great thing about Giroud is his attitude. He is willing to look at himself self critically and learn from his errors. His improvement has been tremendous. With Jack back again, we have a player who can come in… Read more »
Nailed it. His attitude is absolutely tremendous: desire to succeed, confidence in his abilities, gloriously unselfish, plays with a smile. He’s paid his dues as a sort of late bloomer through the lower leagues, and he doesn’t let things go to his head. Look at how hard he has worked on his English, from barely being able to speak when he signed, now he gives charming post-match interviews. Besides being like an extra central defender on every set pieces (I feel 90% less nervy on opposing corners) watch how he shapes his runs, drawing defenders away from our eventual goalscorers.… Read more »
Would be fucking hilarious if we got Drogba on a loan and he scored against Maureen hahahahahahah
The question is how many top, top strikers are available for the Winter transfer market? And how many can & would acclimatise in time with the pace, brute force of the Premier League? We tend to overlook his work rate, his contribution to the team but he is more than that. He doesn’t only scores, he defends and brings others in the market. He offers what we have been missing since Titi left which is heart. He doesn’t just play for the Club, he loves the club & carries the club like a badge. That’s what we want, we don’t… Read more »