I am pretty frustrated with all the Giroud-bashing being done
in the media, over how he is not the striker we can win titles with, over
how he doesn’t score goals quite efficiently and regularly, over how he isn't quite lethal
in the decisive moments and a lot more! For all the haters, the critics, and
the neutral who do not know what to think, here are my reasons:
The provider/enabler: It is a clichéd statement that forwards are signed to score
goals for the team. I wonder if this is true in present day football. Total
Football as made famous by Cruyff, had every player playing in every position
to the best of his ability. If that is so, why could a forward not be quite
content with assisting goals rather than wishing to feature on the score-sheet always? Giroud isn't
the leader in assists, but he is very much capable of playing the crucial pass
with a little of trickery thrown in to win the ball, and move it forward
for the others to latch on to.
Quick release: His link-up play is on par with the best in the department.
No needless dallying with the ball at his feet. Playing a first-touch pass to
secure the ball or to attack the opposition is exactly the type of play that he specializes in.
Physical play: His physique gives him an advantage in winning headers
during a corner, or from a goal-kick, or to secure second balls. These are
quite essential when your team is on the defense. He acts as a defensive
midfielder during those moments, crudely speaking.
Thorn in the flesh: He possesses this uncanny ability to frustrate the opposition by holding the ball
a little longer than usual, at the crucial moments. If first-touch passes are
his forte, then the exact opposite of it, is another. Anyone who follows
Arsenal’s games regularly, can relate to this fact. How many times have we seen
Giroud drawing the defender’s ire or eliciting an yellow card or winning a
non-existent free kick for his team, from positions of no significance?
Football is a hugely psychological game, and the more you anger your opponent,
the higher is his frequency of committing errors.
Tormentor-in-chief: He also fulfils his forward role quite capably. Give him a
difficult situation to score and 9 times out of 10, he will get that goal for
you. His misses from easy situations can be irritating to watch. Then again,
nobody is perfect and all of us are always learning, aren’t we?
Considering all this, I say Giroud is more than enough for us
to win the league. Instead of buying a world-class striker, we could groom one
and keep him with us. The likes of Campbell, who has risen through the ranks, Jeff-Rene
Adelaide and Alex Iwobi have shown great potential in the few minutes of
playing time that they were given. With regular playing time during Cup competitions and as a substitute in League games, an upward shift in their development and tactical awareness can be observed. I truly wonder the need for us to scour
the market for a striker!
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