Olivier Giroud firmly believes he has the qualities to start games for Arsenal alongside Danny Welbeck and says he’s looking forward to playing with both the England international and fellow summer signing Alexis Sanchez.
The French international, sidelined for much of the season with a broken tibia, announced his return from injury with a stunning strike off the bench against Manchester United last Saturday and now hopes on-field partnerships with the two new boys will help him improve.
Speaking to Sport Magazine about his new strike partners Giroud underlined – using some nifty new phrases – that the club had no choice but to recruit Welbeck in his absence.
“We have a really good squad, but it was necessary to buy Danny because we needed another centre forward. He’s a really good player and he’s a good man as well, so I think it will be a really good competition – if there is one – between us. It will help us to grow and improve ourselves.
“It’s always good to have many arrows to our… [looks confused]. It’s an English expression? Ah yes, strings, not arrows. It is good to have many strings to our bow, yes.
“I know that we can [play together]. He can play on the side. It is difficult for me to play on the side, but he can. It will take a few games, but we will have a good understanding on the pitch.
“And with Alexis, too. He’s really clever and a fantastic player – for the moment, he is our best player. I was not surprised by his quality, because I knew him from Barcelona. But he brought not only quality to the squad, but happiness and determination too. He is a fantastic professional.
“I think I can bring something else. Especially my game in the air, and when protecting the ball. I like to score, but I like to assist as well. I think when we have a full squad, we are really stronger this year – even if we have had some bad results. When we have everybody fit, I think everyone will bring his small cog to the machine. I just learned this expression. It is ‘c-o-g-s’, yes?”
It is indeed ‘C-O-G-S’ Olivier, which is vastly different to ‘COYS’…a phrase often gurned by awkward specimens hailing from Middlesex. Nobody really knows what it stands for, but its use does help distinguish whether someone is a fool or not.
Anyway, we digress. Lovely to hear that Olivier is feeling pumped about the new boys…
Ahhhh Giroud!
Strings to our bow – Frenchman- Agincourt!!! Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war…
Sorry came over all UKIP there…
Was thinking something similar. Shows just how little the French know about bows even after all the lessons they’ve had.
Hahaha
We’ve missed him as much in defence as we have up front!
Back to basics! We’ll start winning again !!’
Funny. Man, you tried.
Arrows lol
I love his confidence “I know that we can [play together]. He can play on the side. It is difficult for me to play on the side, but he can.”, he’s already shunted Welbeck out wide so he can play up front.
As if his looks isn’t enough, he has this “HFB trying his best to speak in English clichés” thing going for him as well. Trying to pick up ladies when out with him must be a nightmare! #birdsflocking
Ches Chamber Gibbs Mert Kosc Rambo Ox Santi Welbz Giroud Alexis…..not sure who’ll defend but that’s been the case all season!
How could Wenger rotate Henry, Bergkamp, Reyes and RVP, make everyone play together and produce an insane amount of goals, but not see the opportunity playing Welbz and Giroud together in a 4-4-2 ish formation? There are so many different combinations to be used in midfield like that as well. Theo can score from the right midfield in a 4-4-2, just look at the 07/08 season. The few moments last season when Giroud and Sanogo were playing together they were on fire! It shouldn’t be too bad to just try it out. United changed between 4-4-2, 4-3-3 and 4-4-1-1 “all… Read more »
The difference(except for obviously being more talented) is with henry, bergkamp, reyes and rvp, our attack was very fluid. They all could pop up at different areas of the pitch. Giroud isn’t that flexible/fluid…however, he has good hold up play.
Maybe if they both play together, welbeck/alexis can always interchange…who knows.
In the french national team, they tried to use both Giroud and Benzema in a 4-4-2. It didn’t work and Giroud who was performing a little better than Benzema at the time said it has to be one of the two not both. Finally it was Benzema! However, him the lone strike and Welbeck on the wing seems a good plan for Arsenal.
Question is where does theo fit in all this??
i’d feel bad if the ox was dropped because he has truly earned his place.
Wenger somehow has to find a way to keep these guys happy.
Whatever man…enough talk. Lets see you do the talking on the pitch.
Still feel wenger should’ve bought a better striker than welbeck to push Giroud to get better.
Easy for him to say “we can both play together” and not worry about his place.
There is a significant number of fans for whom football is not a pleasure its a battlefield and Arsenal is not a club to support rather a whipping boy you can beat your frustration on.
What sort of childhood did you have? Trust me. Fun is far easier and much more pleasure!
Excuses, excuses. I’m a realist. Giroud is average, end of story. Only groud fanboys like you come up with such lame excuses to defend him. Bring up stats that prove he isn’t average.
This is the same guy who said we didn’t need a striker last january and wouldn’t be happy if we got higuian because he would be direct competition to him. He only wanted suarez because “they can play together”.
He has not done enough to utter such statements. He isn’t thierry henry. Even adebayor when he scored 30 never said such shit.
You must lead a very sad and lonely existence, realist.
Well its better than lying to myself in the guise of being “optimistic”
Come on, Adebayor definitely said some stupid shit.
He is a honest lad. He does assist, and do it well too.
That back heel…. Ramseyyyyyyyyyy!!!
FA Cup Winners.. Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal Arsenal
Different attributes. Giroud isn’t built around much pace but his touch is immaculate at times for a big man. Also he is more physical which bellies well against tightly packed teams where covering large expanse of real estate is not an issue. Welbeck is more mobile, good feet and technical skills and probably better plundering when space is slightly more open. Sanogo (given Giroud’s age) is likely the Olivier’s successor. He’s a bit gangly and loose at the moment but he is only 21 which gives him about two seasons to develop by which time Giroud is about 31. Sanogo… Read more »
Please stop saying Sp*rs are from Middlesex. That’s where I was born and it’s really downgrading! 😀
Can’t we pretend they’re from Chelsea and kill two birds with one stone?
Oliver Score 1. Miss 9. That’s the Code!
…can we now score via a corner? please
I think giroud can provide the platform for players like sanchez Theo and welbz to thrive especially against teams with physical defenders. He can act as the battering rum his assists for Walcott last season speak for themselves. Now add Sanchez and welbeck to that mix. His goal scoring is improving and he can both score and defend from corners. He isn’t what u can call a glamorous player but he brings a lot to the team