In an in-depth interview with L’Equipe (€, FR) this morning, ahead of the Champions League tie against Monaco, Olivier Giroud says that being sidelined for three months with a broken leg left him hungry, and that he’s changed aspects of his game in order to ward off any potential replacements.
With 8 goals and and 3 assists in his last 11 games, he’s in some of the best form of his Arsenal career, and he puts that down to hard work and a desire to be recognised as one of the best strikers around.
“For three months I was sidelined with the injury and since then, I’m hungry!,” he said. “There’s also more understanding with my partners.
“I am less isolated. Before, I was the striker and it was up to me to score. Now, the attention is not just focused on one player. There is more speed, more percussion. It is less predictable. There is also more diversity. Danny likes to get into the channels.
“Alexis can make the difference with the ball. He brings a passion and personality that we didn’t have before. He’s like a Duracell battery! He never stops and his aggressiveness is contagious
Giroud said rumours about Jackson Martinez ahead of the Boro game [we can’t find them anywhere, btw!] acted as a motivating factor for him as he bagged two goals to put the Gunners into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Asked if Arsenal being linked with other players hurt, he said, “No, but it stings. When talking about a guy to play at your place, you take it because it’s your job. I hear: “They Giroud and Welbeck but need a world class striker.”
“I don’t have any inferiority complex. I don’t have their reputation, but look at the stats, I’m right behind Costa and Agüero.”
What’s most interesting is the way the former Montpellier man used his lay-off to change the way he approached the game. Always a little too demonstrative when things didn’t go his way, he’s tried to tone that down.
“I changed my habits, my way of working out,” he said. “I do a little more gym, muscle building. I gained a couple of pounds, increased my explosiveness. I am more mobile.
“The psychological aspect is something I understand better. I also try to be less demonstrative, like when I do that [puts his head between his hands] after a missed opportunity.
“Coaches, it bothers them a little. They want an attitude of a killer. Diego Costa shows no feeling. I’m more emotional. So I learned to control my emotions.”
Gotta love the desire to keep improving. With 50 Arsenal goals under his belt, let’s hope he adds to that tally tonight.
Lovely to hear this fighting talk from Oli G. I find the obsession with categorizing players as ‘world class’ a bit tiresome. If Sky runs one more poll asking who’s better between Ronaldo and Messi I think I’ll lose it. Comparing individual apples and pears in a team sport is futile. Giroud is a brilliant player but more importantly, he’s perfect for the way that Arsenal plays. He has great touches and has the intelligence to involve other players in attacks. Another bonus is his height when we defend set pieces. Long may his good form continue, I’m a huge… Read more »
Sorry meant to thumb up but have fat fingers
Phew. Internet ego intact.
Real ego still in tatters though.
His improvement and desire to improve is a credit to him.
But he’s perfect for the way that Arsenal plays because Arsene sets his team up that way.
So it is good to have rubbish rumours linking other players to Arsenal?
I hate them, they are 99% a waste of time, but if they motivate the players it sounds good. AW spoke about Martinez in a recent press interview, maybe he should drop other names in there every so often if a player needs a kick up the behind.
The comparisons between Messi & Ronaldo are there because they always run out of gossip.
Two seasons ago I noticed his lack of pace was made up in the technique department. He also continuously has been attempting audacious shots and chips from outside the box which will eventually start to go in along with the Ox’s.
Glad to see he is representing the fact we have a cannon in our crest unlike others with cocks…
Forever COYG!!!
Agree completely! He is so important for the way we play. And he’s a warrior. Wouldn’t swap him for anyone else.
This is what we mean when we talk about self-introspection and the desire to better oneself.
I can think of certain other team members in times past and presently who can talk rather eloquently about themselves and the team but have little desire to improve their game. Not singling out any particular individual, though his initials happen to be TW…
Great to hear that he has been consciously developing the mental side of his game. I think it is clear that he has a renewed focus since his return.
Great to hear he’s planning on losing that head in hand thing; I thought I was the only one it annoys.
Yeah, it is good to hear that he has realized it does not add anything to his game. I hope Jack has a similar self realization.
Quite impressed Giroud is this self aware…cool.
What about the finger flicky flicky flicky?
I like the finger flicky flicky flicky! I hope the coaches don’t tell him to drop that. Yes, I know, it’s not very killer instinct-like. But it always brings a smile to my face during usually very tense games.
It’s our 1st game at the emirates tonight!
My brother will wear your name Giroud!!
I’ll be assisting you with Ozil on my back.
COYG!!
Have a great night, you will never forget it!
Sigh…one day.
GL. my first Arsenal game live in London was vs Roma in the CL. 5-6 years ago. still remember the most of the nigth. 🙂
Enjoy! Once you’ve got that bug you’ll never want to stop going.
Have an amazing time and soak in the atmosphere! My first time was just a few weeks ago, a certain 5-0 match… couldn’t have asked for a better introduction 🙂 Here’s to hoping yours is 6-0!
This man will be absolutely crucial for us in years to come. If the team plays collectively well, I can very easily see Giroud leading us to titles.
On current form, let us hope that Giroud continues to play with that hunger, desire and consistency. Then the current ‘form’ will just simply be a reflection of his all round skill level.
Hopefully he stuffs Monaco a new one for Arsene!
One thing we can be sure of tonight is the mandatory Girou goal or goals. World class or not we don’t give a damn. The guy has so much class COYG
Hopefully he scores after dribbling through the entire Monaco midfield and defense complete with stepovers and pirouettes, then does a perfect chip pass to himself which he finishes off with a sideways spinning bicycle kick before going to the cameras and saying ‘zat eez world class, non?’.
Oli is class, and still improving. Its little attitude tweaks like that that takes players up a level, we all know what he is capable of, if he could become more consistent………
Naaahhhh, na na nana na naaaahhh, nana na naaaaahhhhhh GIROUD!!!!
Oli G is well oiled
Have nithing but love for our HFB. Na na na naaaaaa Giii-roooud!
Anyone else notice that they were playing Grioud’s song as the Man City and Barcelona players came out for the second half last night. The DJ must be an Arsenal fan
Giroud is one of my favourite players in the premier league, he is a lot better than people seem to give him credit for (granted mainly people who aren’t arsenal fans). People say he doesn’t score enough goals etc, but he is more than just a goal scorer because of the way that we play. His little flicks to bring people into the game (the Norwich goal being an extreme example), and hes a big target to hit up front who seems to be comfortable holding the ball up, looking for an out. He is intelligent and uses his head… Read more »
Couldn’t agree more. I’d say he’s possibly the most underrated player in the league. For such a big man he has excellent technique and that’s clearly improving from playing alongside world class players in training and in games. I think the issue for some is that he’s neither Henry nor Bergkamp – but who is?
He has become better this season. The player he was the previous 2 seasons cant be compared to the one he is now. Remarkable improvement considering his age, and personally I did not think he could improve so much. He has added clever movement to his game which makes a big difference considering how static he was, his positioning is better, he bully defenders back where in the past he would complain to the ref everytime someone touched him. Good to see him fight back imstead, and with hos size he is a force to be reckoned with for most… Read more »
He’s in a good run of form at the moment but we need to see it sustained for a longer period of time before we can say he’s a good enough striker to win us the league. I like his personality and application and am very glad he is in our squad in any event.
The team would win the league. Giroud’s contribution would be a by-product of what the team does. Smudger was hardly a world class striker but he still scored a lot and won us two league titles and, as much as I loved Smudger, I rate Giroud higher.
Couldn’t have said it better.
unsung heroes of this arsenal team…..ooo wait Nanaa naaaaaaaaa!
Defensive headers, hold up play, assists goals and what is never mentioned is his contribution by off the ball running, dragging defenders and creating gaps for the other attacking players.
He contributes all over the field and I think The Arsenal are lucky to have him on the park.
Quite. Dare I contrast this with what Podolski offered when he played up front?
Giroud is the perfect example of how well-balanced our team can be setup and he has profited massively from this smart way of team-building: Özil and Cazorla are wonderful creators (Rosicky too, of course) and Alexis, Theo and Welbeck bring pace.
This balance combined with his steady and impressive improvement over each of his 3 seasons here has really made Giroud shine. It will be difficult for strikers to take his place (though I do hope we can develop Akpom nicely).
We still lack that killer instinct…not clinical enough. It’s a problem we’ve had since henry left and van rapist managed to fill that void before he fucked off. I hope one of akpom or sanogo turn out to be very clinical.
It’s something our passing game deserves to have and frankly i feel is the difference between us and chelshit and shitty and odd enough, manure.
Yes and no, we have lacked it at times but I don’t think we lack it now. Compare Sanchez/Ozil with who we had 3 years ago, Bendtner and Gervinho; hardly a suprise that we’re more clinical now.
Ozil is not a clinical finisher. Alexis is, but not that clinical(I think Walcott is the best finisher we have). We don’t have a striker who’s ruthless in front of goal. The last one we had was Van rapist.
One thing I’ve noticed about Giroud is that he is very analytical of his game and others around him. He can also communicate his analysis in very simple terms. He truly understands the game. If he is interested in becoming a manager, he’ll be very good.
The skulking off of RVP looks more and more like a stroke of luck rather than the bad dream we all thought it to be.
Never thought it a bad dream.
RVP for all the talent was a heavy planet around which the rest of the team orbited. I never felt the team was balanced through his tenure no matter how (personally) productive it was.
The team is entirely more dynamic now than it would have ever been if RVP had remained here.
I don’t think it would have been a problem to keep RvP and give Giroud a role at CF, he played well with Adebayor before he became the lone frontman and banged the goals in, he may have scored fewer himself but he was more than just a left foot in front of goal.
Moot point though, as he chose to go to a retirement home instead.
I’m quite confident that if he stays fit for the next 3/4 seasons he will break into triple figures for goals.
Love that Handsome French Bastard!
Not sure how more gym makes you more mobile. Run araaaaaaand a bit! Haha HFB to get his first hat trick tonight I feel the time has come. Class striker
I presume that more explosive power in the legs would help with acceleration, an important part of mobility.
Fair enough – Ive just noticed that players seem to lose some speed with extra muscle but then again look at Alexis.
I think it depends where you build it, I believe there is some kind of tradeoff between power and agility but I think that applies to slightly more honed performance than football.
Also, Alexis just seems like a freak.
The interesting thing about this article is that it underlines that footballers aren’t simply some ‘off the shelf’ package that a club buys to do a job, rather human beings with the ability to develop and get better at their job. The biggest frustration that I have with modern football comment is that players are judged on their form or ability at a particular moment in time (e.g. the first few months after signing) and then either lauded or denigrated for months/years after based on that moment. But, provided that you have a player who wants to learn, listen and… Read more »
Favorite Giroud goal, anyone? Mine is the one against West Ham where he bullied Carroll and a center back and smashed it in with his weak foot…
That and the ballerina poke against the Spuds
I love Olivier Giroud. He might not be as sharp as Aguero and as strong as Costa but he has a lot they dont have. Even what Messi and Ronaldo lacks and that is defending. Football is a team sport and Oli G has helped us in our new style. When he plays I am confident when we have to defend set pieces.
More so, he one humble guy.
You can only have respect for someone who trys to improve their game