Friday, March 29, 2024

If Giroud Gets Injured, Wenger Has Already Signed His Replacement

For Arsene Wenger to enter into a season with Olivier Giroud as the clubs only natural striker in the squad, the Frenchman must have a back up plan. Not even the stubborn Wenger would be so silly to rely on Giroud and makeshift centre forward Theo Walcott – would he?

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So if Giroud does get injured, what will Wenger do? It’s possible that he will recall 19-year-old Chuba Akpom. The teenage striker has already scored two goals for Hull City and has really impressed Steve Bruce. Whilst his Emirates Cup performances showed he still has a lot of work to do to, if Akpom can continue to play regularly for Hull then in a few months, he may be ready to return to Arsenal.

Whilst ideally I’m sure Wenger would like the youngster to play a full season of regular football at Hull, if Giroud get’s injured it leaves the manager with few choices.

Coquelin, who was recently crowned as the August Player of the Month for the Gunners, will act as an inspiration to all loanees. At 23 years of age and out on loan at Charlton, all hope of a future at the Emirates seemed over for the French midfielder. But he has arguably been Arsenal’s best player since he was recalled in December 2014 after injuries to Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta forced Wenger’s hand.

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Akpom has the potential to have a similar effect. I’m sure when he saw we signed no new striker, loaned out Yaya Sanogo and heard of Danny Welbeck’s injury, he was a bit gutted not to be fighting for his place at Arsenal. Whilst Walcott continues to look like an odd fit in most games up front, Akpom is a more rounded attacker who has both the strength and pace to succeed in that role. What he lacks in composure, he makes up for in desire and at his age he can only improve his weak areas with his attitude.

At the Emirates Cup you got the impression he was trying too hard to impress. Wenger of all managers is someone who appreciates unselfish and teamwork in his players and I expect Akpom’s lack of that in pre-season is what convinced Wenger to let him leave temporarily.

He’s not prolific and he’s got a lot of improvements to make, but if there are one or two injuries before Christmas, don’t be surprised if the Gunners opt to recall the English striker.

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