Olivier Giroud and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain spoke to Sky Sports after the 4-1 win over Sunderland today. Here’s what they had to say.
On the game being straightforward
OG: We made it easy, but it was totally the reverse. We started well but allowed them back into it. We didn’t succeed to get the second goal but we were a bit exposed.
So it was nice to score the second goal, and after we finished the job well.
On fearing dropped points after Sunderland’s equaliser
Ox: Obviously at that point you get some doubts but we knew we have a lot of time to step it up. I think before they score the game was very open, we looked like we could have scored goals. We had to be confident we could keep going and luckily the big man came on and scored that goal.
After that the boys closed the game out really well.
On Giroud’s first two touches producing two goals. OG: If I could do that in every game I’d be the happiest man! I’ve been lucky today, I had some great assists from my teammates. It’s a big time for me because I’m coming back from a big injury.I’m very happy to be back on the pitch, and I’m taking a lot of pleasure from today obviously. It’s nice for myself and the team, it’s always good for a striker to score.On getting assists, though not scoringOx: Second half I had few good opportunities, one I didn’t realise I had as much time, I snatched at the shot. But I’m happy I’m getting into more of those positions to score goals. I’ve gotta keep getting into those positions and hopefully I can put more of them away than I did today.On being top after 10 gamesOG: We’ve only played 1/4 of the league, it’s still the beginning. We’re not going to speak too much because we’re first. We enjoy being there, of course, because we want to win the league but there’s a long way to go. We’re in a good moment right now, it’s a good race, we need to keep it and be consistent.
2 touches, two goals. if that’s not world class, I don’t know what is.
Ox has to do better on finishing to compete with Walcott
Agree Walcott would have probably buried at least one of Ox’s chances (and got in positions for more) but I don’t think Walcott would have got Ox’s assist!
True, no chance the Boss will bench Walcott when he fully recovers.
“…I’m coming back from a big injury….”
I didn’t know his toe is so big.
This will be evident to anybody who’s seen cult French comedy Brice de Nice !
Mature, focused answers from Olly. Glad to see him back out there.
You can never question Giroud’s character, he’s constantly questioned and he usually fights back with the right answers.
Two real top draw finishes
A couple of blunders by Ox as usual but also a beautiful assist, it’s really good to see him starting to deliver and if he’s frustrating at times it’s only because it’s so obvious what an incredible player he could be if he puts it all together. Great that he finally looks to be moving forwards toward that point…
Big doesn’t mean his toe! It’s in terms of how many weeks he was out!
What a player to have, and he is coming from the bench? We are truly spoiled.
To think both players are not good enough for Arsenal and should be sold asap. Thumbs up for those who we’re thinking it in July, thumbs down if you never doubted them…
Fyi I was starting to doubt the ox…
I don’t think most fans doubted the ox really, but I was getting really concerned that he was getting held back by his lack of confidence. You could see it for a while where he looked dejected when he made a poor touch/pass and didn’t seem to believe in himself and his abilities. Hopefully his recent run of form gives him that bit of confidence to push on and perform. He has the rare combination of pace, power and technical ability that can make him a world class player, and with just a bit more confidence and better decision making… Read more »
And that was without Santi and Xhaka.
A fine win in the end albeit against truly woeful opposition. I was actually getting really agitated after 30 mins as we started strolling around the pitch like we had already won the game. We only started playing again when they scored and then the true gulf in class was reflected. But if we are to go on and win the league this year I would like to see that killer instinct before we allow clearly inferior opposition back into the game by taking our foot off the gas as we can do so well. Apologies for the bit on… Read more »
To be honest I didn’t think Sunderland were that bad, they made a few threatening moves and had a fair few technically decent players, thought N’Dong was pretty impressive for once. The Premier League’s really something these days, even the teams stuck at the far bottom have a fair bit of quality and can make for an entertaining match (with actual football being played rather than the old Stoke way of entertaining).
Lucky we’ve improved as much as we have this season, or we’d have lost many more points against these so-called bottom-feeders.
I can understand the connection between Sunderland and Moyes . They are anti football…… Slagging off a talent like alexis who graced their Park…,,, sad but a recipe for relaxation fodder
Relegation….. Thanx mr Apple
As I was saying… 1) These footy pundits who now latch on to the Alexis up top line like its a religion. Alexis was put up top by Wenger and he was excellent today. BUT it isn’t the ONLY way we can play. We can also play Alexis wide and he still scores. We can start GIroud and be more direct, barge the goal down. 2) GIroud. These geezers who prattle on about Plan B. There is no plan B. There are alternative approaches as mentioned. I said last game against Reading GIroud looks razor sharp and efficient with good… Read more »