It could either be a positive week for Arsenal or a mixed bag depending on the angle you wish to take. On one side Arsenal ended a valiant fight in France with a blood and sweat victory over a strangely relentless Newcastle. On the other, this week marked another stone in the ‘nearly’ regions of Arsenal’s history seeing a last 16 Champions League exit for the fourth time and in the same manner of away goals coming back to bite after repeated first leg ignorance; perhaps a sign that Arsenal are not changing or improving and never will.
Arsenal might just be the greatest nearly team there’s ever been. It’s not an overly positive approach to things, but it’s the only piece that fits. We are exactly that. Arsenal are a great team, stumbling to greatness and always falling at the last step. Having discussed both outlooks, and you can take your pick, it doesn’t spoil the patches of individual excellence that has followed much of the usual suspects this season. This time it’s Giroud’s time in the light. Ramsey sneaked it from him last week. But this week the hot or cold Frenchman owns it.
He was arguably one of our best performers away at Monaco, proving doubters wrong and exorcising his own demons in the process. He wrestled and fought all night and it was great to see. He battled in the box and smashed home the first of a ‘nearly’ historical night. There it is again. That ‘nearly’ foe. Arsenal’s shadow. It’s a real shame, too. Even aside from the obvious disappointment of not qualifying yet again. But more so because of how excellent Arsenal performed on the night. If they did that regularly then there wouldn’t be these seasonal doubts and disappointments.
Hold your tongue, though. Chelsea lose twice, we win at Old Trafford. The world would end wouldn’t it. Twitter would break beyond repair. Giroud would get his statue. Like I said, Giroud was one of the stand outs. Pity he got in Alexis’ way else we would have turned ‘nearly’ into ‘did’. And that sums Giroud up. He’ll always give you a goal when you need it. But in another match he will always miss that one chance. And the process will repeat.
He’ll be man of the match the next week and score a brace. Like he did at Newcastle. Without Giroud’s rapid fire double Arsenal lose that game and get overrun by Newcastle’s harrying and hustling. The Frenchman took his goals in the way we’ve come to expect. He pushes himself about in the box and mixed with an intelligent run he sneaks ahead of the defender and prods the ball home.
It’s become his signature in an era where striker’s are flashier and quicker. But not our no.1. He’s a lower team bully. Not to mention that he’s imperative for closing out games because of his aerial strength both in attack and defence. Giroud is often the first to clear a ball into the box, and is always the one to hold of challenges up the field and relieve pressure and start the next attack.
That’s what Giroud is all about. He’s a team player before he’s a goal scorer. It just so happens that he’s found a magic touch at the moment. Hopefully, it continues because he’s the best he’s ever been at the moment, even with the small blips.
Giroud is perfect for Arsenal, because he is Arsenal. At least, in the metaphorical sense. He’s a mixed bag. It’s no surprise he’s the first choice striker. It’s no surprise he’s cheered and booed. He can be awful and brilliant. This week he’s been brilliant.