Petr Cech says that despite the fact his involvement has been relatively limited this season, Olivier Giroud can still play an important role for Arsenal.
The French international has been the first choice striker for more or less the last four seasons, but with Alexis Sanchez spearheading the attack this season and injury problems to contend with, the 30 year hasn’t featured as much as he’d like.
However, with three of his four goals this season coming off the bench, the latest his crucial equaliser against Man United at the weekend, he’s shown he still has plenty to contribute, and Cech was keen to give him credit.
“Sometimes, I think people don’t realise Olivier’s qualities, because he works for the team,” he said.
“He’s useful when he starts games, but he’s also useful coming off the bench. He can make the difference. He’s a very important player for us.
“He showed again today that even though he didn’t start the game, he’s ready.”
Giroud’s goal at Old Trafford was his 10th as a substitute, making him the club’s all-time leading scorer when brought on mid-game. He overtakes Kanu and Nicklas Bendtner who both have 9 each.
He is a confidence player and its great he is getting into form and raring to go.
Last couple of seasons we played him to ground.
This season we have two genuine alternatives for the striker position between him and Sanchez.
Hope to see them rotated and Sanchez given a bit of rest.
Nothing like a last minute goal off Oli’s bonce to lift the spirits. Considering how gutted Mou must have felt, that itself was worth 6 points!
I feel terrible for Giroud; he’s been a tremendous player for us, really, but many people have a confirmation bias about him. I fear he’s one of those players who won’t ever be properly appreciated if we don’t win a league title. For context, he and Rosicky have won exactly the same trophies as Arsenal players (with Giroud arguably contributing more, given Tomas’s injuries). One is revered, the other gets brickbats.
I am among those who feel Rosicky should have been moved on alot sooner, same goes for Diaby and imo Walcott to. And I dont think Giroud is the quality we need to lead the line for a big club like Arsenal whom should be challenging not only for the premier league but also the Champions League. But I do like him as a impact sub and depth option. But even if those are my opinions it does not mean I have anything personal against those players, I just think we could and should do better. Im a Arsenal supporter… Read more »
Feared watching the game when u saw the line up and decided against it. It’s a catch 22 but hindsight is a beautiful thing. What if Ramsey played well. He’s out of form so isn’t it right to say that the tactic didn’t work due to that perhaps? I, like many others, feel that if he’s not playing midfield he should not be in that line up. He’s not like nasri/benayoun/rosicky/(Cazorla can do it too) who when played wide could cut in, dribble effectively, play quick one-two and score sometimes. Actions like yesterday make me hypothesize that it dents the… Read more »
3 more goals and he overtakes Pires as the club’s fifth highest goal scorer. That’s all you need to know. When he finally hangs up his boots I think we will all remember the HFB very fondly.
Totally agree with your sentiments, but that will be 5th highest scorer in the Premier League. Way down the list yet when we remember that league football was played prior to 1992.
I rate Giroud. His lack of speed notwithstanding he works his socks off and his hold-up and link up play is exceptional.
Unrelated, but BBC are reporting Bellerin has signed a new long year deal!
bellerin renewed contract
That’s an astonishing stat – leading goalscoring as a sub with only 10. No other player in the history of Arsenal has scored more than 10 as a substitute. Wow! Thinking about it, I can’t think of a player we’ve had that we have given the label “super sub”. Can anyone else?
Yeah that’s what I thought. Somebody with more energy than me should look up what a renowned Super Sub Legend Av Alltimez like as Solskjaer scored from the bench.
Was it a mistake by Wenger to play Sanchez over Girioud especially with Sanchez bandaged up?
We have a sledgehammer, use it. We don’t have to be running aournd for 72minutes without a shot on goal trying to pick the lock. We need to play GIroud for at least 30minutes if not more. I simply don’t understand i. So he snatched us an equalizer but had we had him on for longer (WITH ALEXIS), we may have gone home with the winner too. Perplexing. There is no Plan B. We need to give Giroud at least 30 minutes if not 60 on the itch IMO. He is a tool that can make a huge differnece. As… Read more »
I love that big beautiful French bastard…he saved our bacon on Saturday.
I really need that 10 goal stat explained to me.
No way has a player throughout the history of arsenal never scored more than 10 goals as a sub!? Surely?
Surely….?
Are we talking EPL or all competitions?
Well, it’s a good thought innit, that Giroud could still have a real impact.
He’s had a decent rest, right, unlike the last few seasons where he has been shagged by Xmas.
Maybe he comes back into the frame, Sanchez reverts to wide role, and we have a mid season surge?