Wenger missing the point
After another sparkling performance as the focal point of Arsenal’s front three, Olivier Giroud’s £12m price tag is beginning to look like a rather good bargain.
The Frenchman has been in scintillating form over the past couple of weeks following a slow start to life in England during which many were far too quick to write him off. To me, it was clear that he always had a very high work rate and sooner or later the goals would come along too and sure enough here we are and Giroud is quietly becoming Arsenal’s go to guy.
His second assist last night for Podolski’s sumptuous volley showed Giroud has a touch of class about him and his confidence looks sky high which is fantastic news for Arsenal fans.
There is reason to worry, however, about the lack of depth in the central striker department. Marouanne Chamakh only features in Arsene Wenger’s plans when it comes to the Capital One Cup and beyond that there are not any other recognised strikers that Wenger can call upon should Giroud pick up an injury.
Apparently, Wenger is interested in signing Thierry Henry to another loan deal in January when he will lose Chamakh and Gervinho to the African Cup of Nations. This isn’t the right move, though, because Henry is 35 and is not a viable option if Giroud were to pick up an injury. Don’t get me wrong Henry has done great things for the club and, if signed, his experience and knowledge will do wonders for the dressing room.
Wenger needs to steer clear of the romanticism of bringing Henry back and do what he should have done in the summer transfer window and sign another good striker. No doubt Theo Walcott would enjoy a stint in the central role but he is proving very effective on the wing as is Podolski on the left.
If Giroud is able to make through the whole season without picking up a single injury then Arsenal fans, and Wenger, would consider themselves extremely lucky. It may happen but the risk of losing Giroud and having to possibly play Chamakh in his place must be very apparent to Wenger and he must use to the January window to bolster his central striker options.
He must resist the temptation of re-signing Henry and take a serious look into the market. If he is able to find the right player to provide Giroud with some back up then Arsenal would look a stronger team which would put them in good stead to make a good run during the second half of the season.
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