Eager to take positives from the 0-0 draw with Manchester United, Olivier Giroud says Arsenal produced a ‘good reaction’ following the weekend’s trouncing at Anfield.
While he and his teammates couldn’t find a winning goal, the French striker insists that the draw represents a decent point and that it’s a decent platform on which to build ahead of the visits of Liverpool and Bayern Munich.
“I think we had a good reaction after the bad result against Liverpool,” the Frenchman told Arsenal Player. “I think it’s a good draw to be honest even if we could have scored at the end. It was maybe just about our confidence.
“We did well in the first half especially but after we looked a bit tired. It’s OK, we had a good reaction on the pitch and I think that’s the most important thing even if we wanted to win this game.
“I’m confident for the remaining games and we’ll know a bit more about our future after Liverpool and Bayern [Munich] because we want to play in every competition.”
Having watched his side fail to score for the first time since the goalless draw at home to Chelsea in December, Arsene Wenger admitted they were perhaps lacking the cutting edge previously provided by players on the treatment table.
“We are a bit short of goals at the moment, you are right. Mathematically we have lost goalscorers with Walcott and Ramsey. At the moment in games like that, you see that.
“We had two or three chances but we didn’t manage to score a goal in a game of very few chances,” he continued.
“When you don’t win it’s always a missed opportunity when you want to chase for the title. Let’s say it’s a disappointing result against a good team but the attitude of the players, the fighting spirit, was very reassuring.”
initiating mission smashmugsmashersoutofthecup in 3…2…1
‘Giroud tries to take positives’
Maybe if you tried to take your chances…
@ Hugo, it would be Giroud not to………..
He DID try to take his chances. Unfortunately, he failed. Sometimes that happens. On other days, he will succeed. Will you change your fairweather comment then?
Arseblog on Giroud ‘He’s honest, likeable, and he works hard, but in tight games against the best opposition you’re looking for your main striker to make the difference and after a season and a half he doesn’t really look like he can do it anything more than occasionally, at a stretch.’ Arseblog on Jack ‘As well as that, Jack Wilshere’s carelessness in the centre of the park is, to my mind anyway, becoming an issue. You can’t fault his desire or effort, but his decision making is seriously suspect.’ They eerily echoed my innermost thoughts. Really wish these messages got… Read more »
I am SO frustrated at that performance. 0-0! We should have won that 2-0, 3-0 even! We looked completely static, like it was a game of table football. I don’t know how many times I shouted at the screen last night for SOMEONE to get forward. Every player was just standing there time after time when we got the ball in their half. No one was willing to get in the box. We need to show more adventure. Giroud is never going to be our goalscorer, so the midfield have to be our goalscorer. Cazorla, OX, Arteta, Wilshere all need… Read more »
Sorry but I stopped reading when you said “At least the first 20 minutes, we should be throwing caution to the wind.”
You think thats how we got to the top of the table…?!
Look at the all the top teams of previous years especially Man Utd of the last 2 decades. They were the top team because of their wanting to win the game more, they would play at a high tempo and overrun the opposition, get a couple of early goals and then apply the counter attack. Even Liverpool against us on Saturday – they killed us off in 20 minutes because they threw everything they had at us and we were pedestrian. Then they took their foot off the pedal. It is not possible to throw caution to the wind for… Read more »
I agree with that for sure. But coming out the blocks at full force and throwing caution to the wind are two different things. Either way, we definitely need to find something more against the top teams because it’s all too rare we turn up in those games.
As much as I admire Giroud for his work ethic and amazing looks, I can;t help but feel that we would be ahead of Chelski quite comfortably, had we signed a better striker.
Amazed that Podolski wasn’t brought on at all last night, I guess he’s another one leaving in the summer.
I don’t know that we need better players technically (CF aside), it looks like a matter of determination and motivation. Just look at those quotes from Giroud, it’s almost like they would have took a 0-0 before the game. “It’s OK, we had a good reaction on the pitch” .. Errh, no, we didn’t, it was abject, lackluster and they had the better chances.. I know Jack had a bad game but you could see at the end of the game he wanted the ball under pressure because he wanted to win badly. He was the only one on the… Read more »
Being a Gooner Toddler (since 2012/13) I am naive to the ways of Wenger… …with that being said, from the end of last season until now I still don’t understand why he doesn’t play Podolski more…it seems like he won’t give him a fair chance like he does his “favorites”. He needs to shake up his “favorites” like he did last year when he sat a few on their arses. It will soon be too late. Let the ones who haven’t been given multiple games to show their quality some game time. Sheesh. It can’t be any worse than those… Read more »
This is exactly what i was talking about. players talking big shit before a game then going out there and putting in dire performances.
I bet Giroud has cost us more points this season than he has earned us He should check himself.
Only person talking shit is Heroldgoon. Only difference between the way we play now and the way played early on in the campaign is not Giroud’s form but rather the absence of Ramsey and Walcott, which we did not reinforce or have backups for. Stop bagging Giroud on every post and any player all together, its disheartening to read especially when a player gives his all game in and game out. He was just a bit off tonight, so was Van Persie, stop hating.
@Serge:so walcot and Ramsey absence is the reason Giroud cannot covert simple sitter and headers.Their absence is the reason Giroud is loosing possession so recklessly Right?their absence is the reason a 88kg 6 ft lazybone cannot have any threatening Shot right?You surely need to assess your football annalyses my friend
Giroud will kill the heart.
Van Penis did manage to hit the target though…
And even more so with his first whiff at goal. Remember united didn’t have that many chances….but we did and Our HFFB squandered ’em all.
{Giroud vs City, chelsea, liverpool and united. played 14, starting 10. Only the one goal to show}
so im not talking shit but facts that prove he’s not the mustard but likes to talk like he is.
I think you will easily lose that one
giroud is below average. i have said it before and let me repeat again; giroud credential is that he is french,the kinsman of wenger. podolski, is high and above giroud yet he keeps warming the bench to the detriment of arsenal. giroud out, podolski in.
Do we know when rambo is back
4 weeks
Im starting to dislike Giroud. He cost us vs chelsea and now the same vs man utd.
You know it’s not his fault that he isn’t good enough and that he’s beeing run into the ground. I think it’s the managers fault. But his record vs Citeh,Chelski,Manure and Pool speaks volumes: P: 15 (10 starts) Goals:1.
The only positive is that helped take one manc cunt out of the game. otherwise meh
Come one, come all, Come, come follow The Arsenal. Where you can moan till your heart’s content, You can rant, you can rave, you can vent. “Giroud’s crap,” “Özil’s another Arshavin,” “If Wenger had brought a world class striker, we’d all be laughing.” Yet, we’re second in the league, just one point off the top, But by some of the reaction, you’d think we were struggling to beat the drop. You’d think the last seventeen years didn’t exist, You’d think our badge was a chicken on a basketball and we’d spent a hundred mill on shit. But we’re not sponsored… Read more »
THAT WAS TRULY TOUCHING MAN
Gay
Mature.
Zip it shrimpy
I think he looks tired in these last few games. It’s not about that “world class” whatever. Just knackered, mostly by the lack of rotation in the squad.
Earlier in the season, his movement is more dynamic, attacking every long ball throws at him, etc. Nowadays he is so static. Not having players to run off him also make matters worst.
But, we all can see that. Why can’t Arsene? He got more football knowledge than all of us combine! Did we miss something here?
Whats anyone making about balotelli? Hes a beast on fifa
Is NB52 so awful that he can’t replace this guy in the team? I think not.
I was thinking the same. As good as the system looked with Giroud at the begining of the season, he seems to be helpless in the last few months – whether because tiredness or the lack “runners” who can stretch the defense out wide and provide him space in the middle, I think we would be better with Bendtner in the starting line up right now. He is less of a team player, but I have a strange feeling he would be a more effecitve finisher than Giroud’s current form.
Felt sorry for Ozil last night. Always has his head up looking for a pass but no one making a run. Makes it look like its him who’s at fault. He’s like a master conductor of an orchestra but one or two of the instruments are out of tune.
Almost…our Axl Rose is missing Walcott’s Slash..
Has anyone noticed that,
Giroud plays well before & during transfer windows.
And when no other strikers have been signed
he goes back to playing shit again.
Why Wenger isn’t playing you is beyond me.
Sometimes I wonder if people who say things like this have to make decisions, or work in jobs, that might impact on my life.
It’s scary.
I truly feel for Podolski. I have just always enjoyed his attitude and man if Thor lost his hammer he could just borrow Podi’s left foot. But the manager doesn’t seem to trust him and I don’t think it is fair for a player of his talent to sit on the bench all the time. I fear he will leave, and it may not affect the team hugely, but I just have a soft spot for Podolski.
Talent AND experience. Poldi plays for Germany for Christ’s sake Arsene – he’s the real deal. We play a much much better game with Podolski in the team than with the French poodle. And can I be the first to say that I don’t care how well Giroud “holds up the ball”? That ain’t his job – scoring goals is his job, and he isn’t very good at it, and he has NEVER been very good at it. Frankly, I have seen enough of this guy. I want a striker that can score goals when the opportunities are presented to… Read more »
I’m afraid I have to disagree. I’m a huge fan of Podolski, even more so than Giroud, but I don’t believe it is true we play better with him in the squad than we do with Giroud in the team. We play better when both are in the team together as Poldi just doesn’t play the CF role the way Arsene has built this team. Which is also to say that if you don’t think “hold up play” is not Giroud’s number one job, then you might fail to see Arsene’s tactics this season. You might say the goals come… Read more »
We might even see Gnabry
I can’t believe the fairweather supporters. Giroud is a massive player. Our boys are hitting a run of bad form that every other team has suffered through this season. I may not have the pedigree that some of you may have. I am American and not a longterm supporter. I fell in love with the Arsenal way six years ago and would never stop the support, especially when we sit so close to the top. The way so many “supporters” have turned on Giroud remind me of what Rambo went through. Now look at all the people cheering him on… Read more »
Giroud misses too many chances,
His not good enough for Arsenal.
wenger has fucked up again
( regarding transfers).
He has lost the plot with tactics and substitutions.
Lost the plot?
There never was one, subs and tactics have been the same for years.
What wenger is good at is building a team with a particular style of play and then assuming that victory will come naturally from technical excellence.
‘Maybe it’s to do with our confidence’
I think we lack some sort of character in the squad, I mean playing this United side knowing a win brings us back top and some space from 4th place, I would expect a team to come out gunz blazing. A ‘come on lads lets fucking do this, they aint taking shit from here tonight!!’ type of attitude. Its all a bit mehhh to me. But, I do feel like Walcott and Ramsey have that winnermentality. Is it maybe the lack of habit to win anything?
At least podolski has pace. Can get the ball out of his feet and shoot. Or turn and shoot. I personally thought these were some key attributes of a striker. A different option. Plan B. 65-70 in plan A isnt working. Whats the harm in Plan B???
Accidently pressed ‘publish’… I actually mean more ruthlessness upfront, I know Kos, Bac and Per got it in the back. Im thinkin of a Zlatan, Ronaldo, Suarez type of forward mentality and confidence. I hope for the best! Coyg!
A couple of weeks ago I thought to myself “Surely Wenger must be waiting for DEATHRUN1 to unleash Podolski”
I seem to have been rather wrong!
I can smell a Severus Snape game plan here, maybe, well just maybe, we’re going to do a double.
I cm tonthe defenve of Ozil when he was criticised…bcoz quote simply he is a world class player and Ive seen his world class acts….with RM & Germany & even with Arsenal. But I cant defend Giroud when he is playing badly bcoz he is!! And there is not.much to convince.me in the last season that it would improve or chamge much. He was never world class in my opionion both with Framce or Arsenal. Arsenal has a world class midfielders, if you include Santi, but the forward we hav in Giroud just doesnt match up. Im disappointed because things… Read more »
Thumbs up mainly because I think your spelling mistakes are cute
I really want to like Giroud for his effort and all-round contribution, but he’s had what seems like 400 chances to win drawn games in the second half, yet I can’t think of a single time he’s scored a second half winner. Can anyone else?
He can be positive because he’s a poor player and a guaranteed starter in a title chasing team. The main thing you want from a lone striker is to score his chances. He can’t do that. He can’t get behind defences, oh but wait.. He holds the ball up, so that makes everything all right. Ozil had 2 chances to put him through on the break and he held onto the ball because he knew what the outcome would be.. defence catch him and take the ball, or chance missed and Giroud sticks his tongue out. For very good players… Read more »
If we had someone of the quality of RVP or even Kevin Davies we’d have a healthy lead up top. It’s so frustrating knowing that the title will likely be lost on such small details.
Not having a serviceable striker is not a ‘small detail’, it is a crucial detail. We have a great team, but with no one to score our goals up front.
Our CL place is by no means guaranteed either, the way the scouse and the scum up the road are playing. This isn’t just about whether or not we win the Prem..
Two things I noticed on Ozil last night: forced himself to get more involved, but a lot of times he didn’t look up when he had the ball.
And I truly hope that Podolski and Bendtner get some valuable time against Liverpool.
Giroud has a pretty steady conversion rate of about 13%. It isn’t great, it is average. And has been average. Suddenly asking him to convert at 25% – 35% is fanciful thinking. On the other hand, his hold up play (that was off against United) is extremely good. He brings the midfield into play. He ‘distracts’ the 2 CBs while the midfield makes runs behind. Ozil is usually very good at finding these runners. Up until now, those runners have been Theo, Ramsey and Ox. We seriously underestimate how much it hurts us to not have Theo’s pace and the… Read more »
The phrase “I told you so and so….” gets used pretty often and can be annoying, but, i still want to say 3 months ago i commented that Giroud is a very limited striker but nobody would listen. People slate Ozil after a couple of indifferent performances, but you could tell that the guy had magic in him. Giroud? The less said the better.
One of the posters said it best a few months ago: If Giroud had the looks of Luke Chadwick…………
OZIL played well,
Everytime he ran at the utd defence,
They shit themselfs… They didn’t even attempt to challenge him… shame OZIL didn’t shoot instead of passing to a plum mate… I mean team mate.
Less nonsense talk, more goals please.
“we have lost goal scorers Walcott and Ramsey” – ok Wenger so why not buy a player in January? Ok it is not easy and can be more expensive, but it needed to be done!!! Giroud is a good player but should have scored against chavski and manure, for example, which is four points more had he scored!!! Further highlighting the need for a clinical striker along side him!!!!
Passion
I blame Giroud for that dropped points. Winger needs to go out and get a striker this summer. No way to win a title with Giroud as our striker.,won’t happen. The man was abject against manure.
giroud had a frustrating game last night to be sure. everything he did seemed to be slightly out of synch with the world around him. my feeling is he was nervous. this guy has made a big step up in class in a very short space of time and no matter how handsome he is, he must suffer from self doubt at times, especially when the fans are so quick to get on his back. i can’t understand all the criticism though. he has improved a lot on last season and always always puts an enormous shift of work in… Read more »
We are due a good performance and we will be world beaters again !
I thought OG won us a penalty yesterday.
Guilty of all this is arsene wenger, always with the same excuses, not ABOUT replacements already have many attacking players, against Chelsea, Man united always the same thing, has podolski, Bentner not mete why.
Regarding Giroud, what do people think of this:
Premier League Goals per game (with minimum10 games):
Suarez 1.1
Sturridge 1
Aguero 1
RVP 0.71
Remy 0.55
Toure 0.5
Hazard 0.48
Rodriguez 0.43
Giroud 0.42
How can it be that Giroud has the worst goals per game ratio of any of the top strikers in the Premier League when he has such great midfielders behind him? The shots he takes per game (3.3) are about average when compared to the other strikers.
Ahhh yes…look at the excuses: “he’s tired”, “he’s nervous”, “not enough runners” bla bla bla….how can a striker so painfully average play for us?? worst striker I’ve seen lead us since I started watching arsenal. This guy cost us both matches against man u and Chelsea…don’t care what anyone says Bendtner is way better than this guy. People kept slagging gervinho off when he was here, but at least he played better than giroud, but no!! Its HFB…blame ozil, blame wilshere…but not this average punk.
Let s face it giroud works hard holds balls up and we love him but he’s not world class !!!!!1 in 4 he scores
I personally think Giroud will have another scoring run this season, no way is he gonna let himself finish with less than 20 goals this season. Sad to see he’s played 9 more than Ramsey and only got 1 more goal though.
Anyway, I think Podolski needs a run up front. It took Giroud like 10 consecutive games before he broke his beak, Podolski hasn’t even been afforded 2 consecutive games as a no.9 – he’d be potent I think