This coming weekend marks the return of the Premier League after a seemingly lengthy international break and like always it is highly anticipated, with one Arsenal key figure standing out; Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman recently came under the microscope for a tough outing with Les Bleus after missing three clear chances in the first half of the game and then was booed off by his own fans.
The temperament among Arsenal supporters maybe even worse as the 28-year-old French striker looks to bounce back after his display for his nation. Olivier Giroud in his spell at Arsenal has never been a crowd favourite, with many supporters feeling that he is not a good enough a frontman to lead Arsenal to a title-winning campaign. Arsene Wenger may have added fuel to the fire when he let the summer transfer window slam shut without bringing in another striker to lead the Arsenal line or at the least provide an option to Giroud. The lack of a new striker plus the injury to Danny Welbeck has left fans irate and frustrations will begin to build and build upon the Frenchman.
Olivier Giroud will be the only out-and-out Arsenal striker this season and though Arsene Wenger is keen to show faith in the forward, not many fans share his optimism and come Saturday, as Arsenal host Stoke City, all eyes will be on Giroud’s performance. It is clear that since he was criticised last season by fellow Frenchman and Arsenal Legend Thierry Henry, Giroud has fallen short on confidence.
Recently we saw Nicolas Anelka publicly back his former side.
Arsenal supporters must trust Arsene Wenger’s judgment after the club failed to sign a striker in the summer transfer window.
Arsene did the same with me – when Ian Wright was there, he didn’t buy anyone and I had to do the job up front.
He believed in me and in the end I played regularly and played well. He made the same choice with Giroud.
Arsene believes in his team, that’s why he hasn’t spent money. He believes in Giroud because he thinks he will score a lot of goals, which he already has done. When you look at the statistics he’s not so bad. Arsenal won something last season, won something the season before, so why not again?
For the sake of Arsenal’s season, I really hope Anelka is right, that Giroud can take confidence from his backing and push on, as Arsenal’s season now rests on his ability to lead the club’s attack. As controversial a figure Giroud is among Arsenal supporters, in truth he has not done badly, when his confidence is at its peak, he has plenty of strong features and is not significantly weak in any department – bar his pace.
He has contributed a lot and plays with his heart on his sleeve, an admirable characteristic to those who support the striker. I hope the fans can get behind him and sing his name come Saturday, the transfer window is behind us and all we can do now as supporters is just that – support.
