Outstanding week for Arsenal. Chelsea continue to slide into the Premier League depths, whilst The Gunners rise to the surface for the second time in five days. Theo Walcott was rested, perhaps predictably after Wenger’s comments on no single striker playing all the games throughout a season. It paid off. Giroud turned out a pivotal and match winning display, with Ozil continuing to dazzle in all the spaces in-between. It’s difficult to separate the two after the Everton game, both were instrumental, both battled with hunger. But it is the Frenchman who nods ahead. The German maestro has already danced in the spotlight, and will again. So it’s time to give Olivier Giroud some much deserved credit.
He was among the heroes in the win against Bayern, changing the game in a measly two minutes. It’s this impact from the bench that has become a large factor in his game. He’s become more of an asset, even if he’s not the striker we want to depend on. It is good knowing he is on the bench when we need him. We needed him on that slippery Saturday evening. Everton were always going to be physical, and especially at home, Giroud made more sense than Walcott. Add the presence of Lukaku into the fray and Giroud’s importance doubles. He pressed high, even if he did struggle with his lack of pace – the fact is he pressed tirelessly, forced errors and blocked passes. The real highlight of his performance was his protection of the ball. He won every header he challenged – and for someone like him in these types of games that’s all you can ask for. If he does that first, then the goal is a bonus. He got both, he was superb. The game fell into a pattern after a few minutes, an Arsenal head meeting the ball from every set piece; a goal seemed inevitable. Fittingly, it game around the half hour mark from a perfect Ozil cross, another assist, another deciding factor in a game. I doubt he’ll ever lose that tag of not rising to the occasion, but it’s clear to anyone that looks. Giroud leaped and helped Ozil’s pass into the net. It was coming. Then bang, another set piece, another Arsenal head meeting its target. So much for timid Arsenal having no presence. Both goals were the result of two world class deliveries, from likewise midfielders. Obviously, bad fortune saw Arsenal concede, so it was a tense second half.
Giroud’s role in the game remained, in fact, it increased. He was vital to the counter attack and reliving pressure – his play contrasting Theo’s electricity with pure strength. He continued to hold the ball up, winning almost every long ball up towards him, whether through chest or faint touch. His signature first time lay off cropped up frequently, usually finding Ozil who would return the favour creating a threatening combination all game. Another key chance came in the form of a swift turn from Ozil and delicate inside pass, Giroud latched on, gained control, composed himself and slammed into the crossbar – another day that goes in and it’s a great goal. Ozil had his own slice of the woodwork moments later, and the theme of the match was largely a terrific duo performance from those two, linking up and causing havoc.
Giroud has impressed whenever he’s come on, finding the net on many occasions shortly after entering games. It is something Arsenal have often lacked, as well as a true centre forward, is someone who can come on and change games. Giroud excels at changing games. His sheer presence alone breached the unbeatable Bayern Munich. On top of playing when he’s asked, and playing effectively, he hasn’t thrown a tantrum during his spell on the sidelines. The likes of Fabregas and Persie would have cried, threatened to not play, to leave. Arsenal don’t have these weak links anymore, they have players who love the club, the manager and the fans. Sure, Giroud wants to be no.1, like any footballer. But he doesn’t berate the manager or Theo for not getting his chance. He keeps his head down and works until the opportunity arises, and then he can be the difference. He was against Bayern. He was against Everton. He’s a player happy to be part of the club, even when he knows he’s not perhaps the main man. That doesn’t stop him from trying, nor does it affect his attitude, which has been brilliant.