It gets said every year but the coming summer window feels like a particularly important one for Arsenal. After ending the season on a run of 13 wins from their final 18 league fixtures, many expect them to launch their most viable title charge for almost a decade next year – providing they add a few more key components via the transfer market.
The majority of speculation has centred around a new goalkeeper and a powerful central midfielder, with Petr Cech and Morgan Schneiderlin emerging as the priority targets respectively, but in my opinion, finding something more than just Olivier Giroud up top is equally pivotal for Arsenal this summer if they intend to take next year’s Premier League crown. Here’s why.
From a tactical perspective, the France international is perfect for Arsenal. The height and power of his 6 foot 4 frame represents the physicality the Gunners desperately lack throughout the spine of their starting Xi and has been instrumental in bringing Arsenal’s supremely talented midfield into the game – especially against high quality opponents – over the last few seasons. Likewise, his deft flick-ons and intricate one-twos are a key part of Arsenal’s build-up play; one ponders how the north Londoners would fare with a less technically adept, less tiki-taka friendly striker leading their line.
Yet, the fundamental requirement of any centre-forward – scoring goals regularly – is where Giroud leaves a lot to be desired.
41 goals in 97 appearances is by no means a poor return by Premier League standards, almost one-in-two spread fairly evenly across his three campaigns, but an interesting and important trend has emerged over the last few seasons in the English top flight.
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Since 2009, not one club has lifted the Premier League title without their top goalscorer netting twenty times or more. Even Diego Costa, despite missing twelve games through injury, managed to hit the 20 mark this season as Chelsea claimed the crown. Giroud, on the other hand, has never scored more than 16 during a single Premier League campaign – and that was during his busiest to date, where the Frenchman made 36 appearances.
Of course, there will be anomalies to this rule. Arsenal had 15 different goal scorers in the Premier League this season, ranging from top scorer Alexis Sanchez to midfield enforcer Mathieu Flamini, the most of any club in the division and only five shy of Manchester United’s record-breaking 20 during the 2012/13 campaign. So in theory, Giroud’s goals can be made up elsewhere in the team as the Gunners hone in on next term’s title.
But it was evident enough during Arsenal’s recent barren run, which saw them go three games and 56 shots without a goal; the 28 year-old lacks the predatory anticipation of a natural poacher and the ability to create his own scoring opportunities from nothing, in the same manner as Chelsea’s Diego Costa or Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero. He lacks that spark of ingenuity, that level of passion and drive.
Whilst the former is essentially a one-man counter-attack and the latter has the bizarre knack of bullishly willing the ball into the net, shoulder-barging, elbowing, tricking and tackling his way through defences singlehanded, Giroud requires consistent service and usually a few decent, well-worked chances to convert. In a nutshell, the 28 year-old too dependent upon the performances of those around him to ever be a genuine match-winner.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the Frenchman needs replacing outright, flogged for loose change this summer as the Gunners find a more prolific successor. But if not an upgrade, then variety is clearly required. Danny Welbeck offers something a little different and Arsene Wenger has talked up Theo Walcott as a centre-forward in recent weeks, but in my opinion both lack the consistency to man the line for extended periods – as the former proved earlier this year during Giroud’s absence through injury.
Arsenal need a strike-force. A proper one, that isn’t simply Giroud and two converted wingers. Take a look at the embarrassment of riches at Manchester City or Manchester United’s trio of Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez during Sir Alex Ferguson’s ultimate season. As aforementioned, what the Gunners lack most is a natural poacher who can convert opportunities of his own incarnation. Someone like Porto’s Jackson Martinez or Sevilla’s Carlos Bacca, speedy, powerful and instinctive strikers who always threaten the space behind opposition defences, would be ideal.
But with other positions taking priority and Wenger’s faith in Giroud seemingly unconditional – not to mention the likes of Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell lurking in the background – the prevailing concern is that the issue of an improved strike-force will be put on the backburner for another season. Although a goalkeeper and a physical midfielder are both important additions, my ultimate question is this; does Giroud score enough to win Arsenal a title? Based on his first three seasons with the Gunners, no.
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