Arsene Wenger has heaped praise on Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud after the duo got a couple of goals each in yesterday’s 4-1 win over Sunderland.
The Chilean took his tally for the season to 8, while Giroud’s first two touches yesterday ended up in the back of the net as he got off the mark in this campaign.
It left the Arsenal manager very pleased with his forwards contributions. Speaking afterwards, he said of Sanchez, “He is doing extremely well and I believe that he enjoys it.”
And on Giroud he continued, “Olivier is a guy who is mentally absolutely fantastic. He’s strong and every time he’s questioned, he gives you the right answer on the pitch.
“I admire that in him. He’s a guy who has gone through some different questions. Even before the European Championship in France, he was questioned by the crowd and in the end everybody was on his side.”
As for how he keeps them both happy, it’s a difficulty he seems quite content with.
“When they score goals, you have no headache,” he said. “We play every three days and it’s simple – nobody can play all the games and it’s down to me to find the right balance in every single game between attacking and defending, even if we are more of an attacking team.
“Sometimes I can play them together, sometimes separately, but we play so many games that everybody should get the number of games he wants. We can as well play 4-4-2 with two through the middle as well, because Mesut can play in behind or on the flank.
“I will see. Let’s not create problems that we don’t have at the moment.”
Interesting problem to habe & to solve!
Why does Alexis have such a good headed goal conversion rate? Not complaining, just wondering
he’s got good a good leap, and enough tenacity and strength to make up for an average height, like Sagna.
I completely agree. It’s all about commitment and focus. Alexis is always switched on and has incredible awareness on the pitch. It’s a bit how Charles Barkley could out rebound most people; he was not the tallest but he made up for it with his intelligence, strength, and, as Wenger loves to say, “total commitment.” When you combine skill with dedication, you will always be rewarded.
Alexis is our own round mound of rebound.
Charles Barkley?!
Yup. That guy on nba tnt, was on hell of a basketball player during his time.
It’s not the most current reference, I’ll give you that! I used to watch a lot of NBA when I was younger. Nowadays I rarely have time for anything more than Arsenal games but frankly it’s all I need ?
That’s Sir Charles*
*Hleb 🙂
If we do well on three of the four competitions, there will be plenty of games for everyone. It’s 38 games in the PL, 6 games just in the CL group stages, 5-6 games in the League Cup. That’s nearly 50 games. Then there is the latter stage of the CL, FA Cup games which can easily add another 5 games. Then there are international. So, some on like Carzola who (bizarrely and luckily) doesn’t play in many international games, can play more regularly for us, while Alexis, Giroud who feature often for their national sides, are rotated. This is… Read more »
In the beginning I thought Sanchez in the striker role wasnt really working and Wenger should stop playing him there. Couldnt have been more wrong. I guess thats why Wenger gets the big bucks and I’m playing pool in the pub on a sunday half drunk.
Worse places to be though to be fair.
Like playing pub in a pool on a Sunday half sober?
Why only half?
Interesting that Wenger names 4-4-2 as one of the tactics that can be used, can’t remember the last time he has mentioned it as an alternative for Arsenal.
Anyways, it is luxury to have two of the best players of last summers EC (Giroud &a Ramsey) on the bench ready to make an impact.
Henry keeps talking about 4 4 2 but Wenger has never mentioned it. Will be interesting to see how that works and who we use it on.
Would think we might be able to slot Theo or Lucas in there too, which could also be interesting.
Can’t remember a time Wenger even played 442. Giroud and sanchez would be devastating up front I would have thought. The strength on the ball and hold up play Giroud is capable of along with Sanchez’s workrate, finishing, speed and skill would be a nightmare for defenders. Giroud is also capable of the odd flick, 1-2 and back heel that is quintessentially arsenal. Not too shabby in the air also.
It really is very nuanced though, IMO. The year Theo bagged his 20+ goals he was a “right winger” but he was always making runs in behind and through the middle. He was basically like a second striker which “kind of” made it like a 442. Like I said, there’s no exact right answer and anyone is welcome to disagree with my analysis.
Sanchez has been sensational this season and has really grown into playing in his new position, on top of his pace, tenacity, desire, finishing etc that we all knew about it’s his vision that has surprised me. Honestly some of his through balls he has played when he drops back is outstanding. He really has sparked many players into life around him, in terms of tracking back, harassing players on the ball etc. Is this the ‘world class striker’ striker position sorted now? Out of curiosity, would you rather a top top top quality left winger or another striker still?… Read more »
I agree with you but I think Ramsey could take that left wing position. He can be “world-class” when in form and gets to play to his strengths and when not having too much playmaking responsibilities (like last season when paired with Flamini). He was also brilliant from the RW last season. As well as Iwobi has played, Ramsey offers more goal threat, physicality and defensive cover. Also can’t see him starting as a CM other than with Xhaka maybe.
The real acid test will be the middle third of the season, hopefully we have the mental strength to step up in big games. This is the only thing we have yet to demonstrate although the signs are there that we can. I haven’t been this excited about the squad since we still had Cesc and were regularly thrashing sides 6-0 4-1 5-0 3-0. I just pray that even if we hit a small snag, the fans don’t turn on the team and the manager, Arsenal fans can really be the masters of their own undoing. The fans in the… Read more »
and just think, we have Lucas and Welbz to come back still.
Really impressed by Gibbs, a solid rotation at LB well help Monreal as well.
Onwards!!! COYG!
And all without Lucas, Santi, Theo, Danny, Granit, to name but a few.
Good times ahead I reckon…
It was bloody excellent to see our big handsome French bloke back and scoring.
Theo has been in great form as we all know.. but now that he is unfortunately injured.. we have got to find a way to replace his goals in the team.. and I believe, 4-4-2 would be great way to solve that problem. Would love to see us play with a 4-4-2 formations against our noisy useless neighbours. #COYG
Not sure it would be my preferred solution – I feel that if Mesut plays on the left, Nacho/Gibbs will get slaughtered, and if he plays in the middle in a midfield 2, the other team will walk right through.
Wouldn’t mind it if were chasing a game, though, like when we brought on big Yaya Sanogo in the FA Cup semis and final.
“…we play so many games that everybody should get the number of games he wants.”
Sanchez will want to play 16 games per day, soI’m not sure that is possible.
I like how you took 24 hours and divided it by 90 mins. If you’d left a space after so, I’d have tracked you down and asked you out.
He is considering what Thierry Henry told him about playing Sanchez and Giroud.
I don’t understand this whole nonsense about Plan B. Sounds like cheap science fiction. We have options. We have the option to play Alexis up top. We have the option to play Giroud up top. AND we have the option to play BOTH Giroud and Alexis together. WHICH Wenger did all season last season. Alexis scores regardless if he starts from left or up top. Why? BECAUSE he gets to wander in field anyway like Walcott with either of GIbbs/Monreal or Bellerin on other flank able to push up to provide the width (especially with Mustafi now covering) We don’t… Read more »
And why would you have BOTH players who can score goals have to take turns up top anyway when BTH are available? It all depends on how the opponents are set up (It should be anyway) If they sit deep leaving less space for a more mobile option to exploit, then Giroud is the solution to break the door down, go direct, give Ozil something to aim at. But that does not mean it has to exclude Alexis either. What Henry doesn’t realise is all this position talk is moot. Wenger’s positions are suggestion. In reality the players across the… Read more »
…worse than rubbish…media rubbish;)
Last night when Giroud scored that header i think all of us were wondering that how dangerous we suddenly become on set pieces when giroud is around. Although in January we will have two more beasts coming who are amazing on set pieces. Squad Depth WOW
Lol..Mertesacker is not a beast on set pieces…more like a lamp post
A good lamp post none the less!