Loïc Rémy was in the stands as Arsenal beat West Brom 1-0 on Saturday, a game in which Olivier Giroud scored the only goal. Arsene Wenger was apparently shocked at the Remy’s attendance but as i always say ‘there is no smoke without fire.’ Remy may well then be a target of Wenger’s, so what would he bring to Arsenal and would he be an improvement on Olivier Giroud?
A frustrating season for Arsenal points to the absence of a world class striker amongst other reasons. Taking nothing away from Olivier Giroud, but Arsenal have struggled to compete against some of the top sides this season when Giroud has been out of form. Here are reasons why the London club may need on-loan Loic Remy instead of Giroud.
It’s all great when Giroud is scoring against West Brom at home, but unlike the Benzema, Suarez and Diego Costa’s of this World Giroud has failed to perform when it’s mattered. For that reason Wenger must begin to look for a new Thierry Henry -or shall I say Loic Remy- The Newcastle United on-loan forward, looks every bit the striker they once had that brought them a lot of success in the early millennium years. Arsenal have been linked with Remy for quite some time and his presence at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday sent rumours hurling.
However, he was apparently only there as a guest of Bacary Sagna’s, who could be leaving the club in the summer. Now, you may be sat there saying, ‘why would Arsenal buy Remy as a goal-scorer when he’s scored two fewer than Giroud in the league?’
It is simple, really. Giroud has played 35 games compared to Remy’s 26 and played 897 minutes more. To fairly compare the two Frenchmen, we is must average out their figures over 90 minutes.
Remy has scored 14 goals in the Premier League this season compared to Giroud’s 16 but the Newcastle man averaged 0.6 every 90mins, while Arsenal’s Giroud averaged 0.48. So already, there’s a clear difference. Should Remy play more often, he’ll score more often and I believe he has the ability to reach 20-25 in the league at Arsenal.
Remy is more prolific in front of goal, converting 21.5% of his chances compared to Giroud who has converted 19% of his. The French forward also possesses the strength required of a top striker of today, with his pace and agility to make runs off the flanks and create goal scoring chances for other teammates averaging 1.29 compared to Giroud’s 1.05. Amazingly one of the key aspects of Giroud’s style of play is how he brings others into the attack by holding the ball up and laying it off to onrushing midfielders. However, if Remy is already creating more chances than Giroud, his game almost becomes void.
A new season approaches and the Gunners no longer have the excuse of rebuilding especially as they stand on the brink of lifting a title. Once that is achieved Wenger must begin to look forward on how to make his side title contenders on every front.
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Photo via Amarhgil