Arsene Wenger says Olivier Giroud is ready to compete for a starting berth at Arsenal despite the acquisition of Alexandre Lacazette and the club’s determination to keep hold of Alexis Sanchez.
The France international was left frustrated by a lack of game time last season and has been linked with a number of clubs this summer, however, despite talk of a £20 million fee, it looks as though he could stick around at the Emirates.
“Giroud fancies the competition,” Wenger told press in Beijing after Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat to Chelsea. “As a manager, you have him on your back, wanting to play.
“As a manager, you have him on your back, wanting to play.
“He fights hard, you know. I like the way he responds to what’s happening. He is focused and determined and showed that on this tour.”
Assuming Lucas Perez leaves and Chuba Akpom are loaned out, the Gunners will have six first team attacking options (Walcott, Iwobi, Welbeck, Alexis, Giroud, Lacazette) to choose from ahead of the new season.
Juggling them, especially as it’s a World Cup year, is certainly going to be difficult, even if the carrot of regular Europa League action is dangled in front of a couple. Still, on the face of it, it’s a nice problem to have.
Giroud has to stay. There are games that are usually written Giroud all over them and with that in mind he has to stay.
I think he will get plenty of games if he sticks around. He is probably thinking the same.
Fancies the competition?
He should just get on with training and getting in the team.
I think he meant he was going to ask Laca out. :p
But, he blanked Lacazatte when he scored against Western Sydney Wanderers. He doesn’t seem like he wants to ask Laca out. Maybe he fancies the other forwards.
Treat them mean, keep them keen.
“will have six first team attacking options (Walcott, Iwobi, Welbeck, Alexis, Giroud, Lacazette)”
Erm, Ozil?
Personally I can see Donyell Malen sneakily getting into the squad as potential 3rd-4th choice striker.
Fancies himself more though…
Or the competition fancies him
7 including Ozil
So pleased he seems to be staying. Top guy and great option from the bench.
Great option to start in some games to be fair
I think Giroud will end the season as our first choice striker and we’ll be going into next summer with the general consensus being that we still need a top class striker.
Glad he wants to stay and battle, I really like Giroud.
This could be the situation tbf, although I hope Lacazette will break through during his first season. We have two good options for the coming 2 years. Suspect Welbeck will be used in other positions than CF from now on.
Giroud has his place, clearly has an eye on the internationals, which at his age isn’t anything to scoff at given it could be his last tournament and he’d like to finish his career with some international achievements to his name. So many games this season, if he stays, he will play – his name isn’t Perez and AW loves himself a bit of Giroud.
Score goals and prove your No.1, competition is good!
Sell Walcott, keep Giroud!
With the Europa League coming, we have to many games to think of selling off Walcott at this stage, He will be more suited to the European games than the Premier League.
Sell are second highest goalscorer? Pfft!
Hope he stays – we need players like Giroud: hard working, good attitude and talented
I want giroud to stay but only because he brings things that Lacazette doesnt plus he has prove himself as useful from the bench. I do worry that this move means that when the chips are down, Wenger not to change a persist with really bedding in Lacazette and the style of play that kind of centre forward brings. I by this i mean over a run of bad result he will opt for giroud and Lacazette may find himself marginalised. This will of course be negated if lacazette hits the ground running. If Welbz starts scoring then both Lacazette… Read more »
Story of Giroud’s career at Arsenal. Every transfer window seems to bring stories about how he won’t handle competing with “Striker X” that we’re linked to. He has always emerged with a decent goal tally to his name.
Arseblog with an interesting interpretation of attackers available “Walcott, Iwobi, Welbeck, Alexis, Giroud, Lacazette”.
I count only 3 or 4, as there is no way Walcott or Iwobi should be starting centrally and competing in Girouds position! And Wenger has stated that Alexis will be playing on the left. Hopefully Welbeck avoids injuries and scores plenty of goals, but Im not super confident on that.
So we are certainly not overstocked in the striker department assuming Lucas is sold.
Or, you know, we could try both? Go on, you know you want to…
And we fancy Giroud. It’s the circle of life.
Competition is healthy as long as our striker passes to our other striker when the latter is in a better position. I hope these guys have the bigger picture in mind rather than their personal glory and a place in the world cup.
Reckon my missus fancies him more…
Probably fancies his beard more….and his hair..
An injury or two will see him right back in.
I think he will play plenty this season.
90% chance he is staying. I mean why would anyone in their right mind want him gone? We saw just last game Lacazette may need some time to settle in. Giroud came on and again linked well with teammates. BUT its selective viewing for some (just like in instanc eof Flamini and Elneny) When Lacazette is ineffective the excuse if no one gave him any service. When Lacazette is effective its because he makes those ‘runs’. When Giroud is effective he is ‘lucky’ When Giroud isn’t effective he is a ‘plan B’ at best that we should sell because he… Read more »
I wish he can pass to Lacazette next time they both play together, teamwork > competition on the pitch
Run Forest Run !!!
I like Giroud.. he’s like “Lacazette, Sanchez, Perez, Benzema, Suarez, Mbappe, meh…whatever, I’ll stay and fight for my place thank you”
Other less handsome mortals could learn a thing of two
***looking at your Jack! ***