Does this Arsenal striker get more criticism than he deserves?

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Since joining in 2012, Olivier Giroud has had more ups and downs at Arsenal than Emmanuel Eboue, Woijiech Szczesny and Aaron Ramsey put together. He is often a scapegoat for the critics when things aren’t going well at Arsenal, but is it deserved?

Giroud is one of only seven players in the Gunners’ history to score 50 plus Premier League goals and has averaged 20 per season in all competitions since he has been at The Emirates, a pretty good return. He also has a Ligue 1 title to his name with Montpellier, finishing top scorer in 2011-12 season as he spearheaded them to a historic league crown.

The Frenchman is yet to win the Premier League, but in 2013-14 and last term, Arsenal had more than enough to capture the gold but fell short. That is not solely down to Giroud, but he has his faults which should not be totally discounted.

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Arsenal’s number 12 is a player that draws much frustration when watching him play despite his season ratio and record in France.  He is a very particular forward that; when provided with the right service, is very effective. However, when it fails to come off, it can look flawed.

Giroud’s first-touch finishing is up there with the best in Europe – just look at his goals against Spurs and Newcastle in 2013 plus in the FA Cup versus Middlesbrough in 2015 as examples. Nonetheless, during games he can come across as theatrical, lazy, and often looking for the hardest pass. Still, when it comes off, it is wonderful. His combination play for the goal against West Ham in 2015 is a good example, as his assistance in Jack Wilshere’s finish against Norwich in 2013.

Arguably, Giroud’s biggest problem at Arsenal has been the consistency of his performances. He will sometimes now be playing particularly well but still score or assist, such is his position on the field that he is in areas where he gets numerous chances to do so. However, for the majority of the time, when Giroud is having an ‘off-day’ or is not in the right frame of mind, it can go very wrong very quickly.

The prime example of this is Arsenal’s Champions League Round 16 first leg against Monaco in 2014. The Gunners were overwhelming favourites and the pressure was on to make a statement in this competition. Unfortunately, this pressure seemed to get to Giroud more than most, as with every miss and heavy touch, his level of frustration grew, and the crowd were clearly becoming restless.

Arsenal went on to fall to an embarrassing 3-1 loss. Giroud was substituted and cut a sorry figure, for he knew just how poor his performance was. Chances he would tuck away in any other game, he proceeded to hit over the bar or wide of the mark. As Arsenal’s striker and target man, it cost them as Monaco made their chances count on the night.

This has been the key argument against Olivier Giroud over the years. When the heat is on and the opponent is bigger in stature, he crumbles and often is shown up to be levels below what some think he is. Giroud is a very good striker, of that there is little debate. His record demonstrates this, and he is definitely one of the best forwards in the Premier League when it comes to hold-up play, link-up interchanges with onrushing midfielders and aerial duels. This is proven when he can feed an influential midfielder running past him.

In the 2013/14 campaign, Aaron Ramsey was the master of this role, leading him to the accolade of the club’s Player of the Year and the FA Cup final winner, set up by a majestic back-heel by Giroud. Olivier claimed 12 assists in all competitions that season and Ramsey was the main recipient of his work. As well as the Welshman profiting, Giroud played better because of it and therefore exhibited his true qualities and value to Arsenal.

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He is not quick, aggressive or of the calibre of forwards like Sergio Aguero, Luis Suarez and now Harry Kane. He is not ‘world class’ or young enough to be seen as ‘potential’, but cannot be underestimated because of the varying results from his style of play. Giroud’s record and importance to Arsenal this season is why he is a valuable player for club. 24 goals in 56 games should not be dismissed, and the burly forward is now a mainstay for his country heading into the Euros as France’s principal number nine.

Scoring against Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Liverpool, Leicester City and Everton is impressive.  Predominantly in ‘big games’ this past season, Giroud has delivered and performed to a standard good enough for where Arsenal hope to be next season and beyond.

Arsene Wenger seems to be in the market for a striker, so if he brings in a quality alternative to the Frenchman, they have the artillery to challenge on all fronts.

 Featured Image: All rights reserved by Stuart MacFarlane