When Gonzalo Higuain snubbed Arsenal for Napoli in the summer, and then apparently failing with moves for Liverpool’s Luis Suarez, Real Madrid goal-gobbler Karim Benzema and former Barcelona star David Villa, life looked bleak in the striker department at the Emirates.
However, there was a certain Frenchman who saw his chance glimmering at him via an Arsene Wenger frown. A Frenchman who was ready to plant the Les Bleus tri-colour next to that of Thierry Henry and Robert Pires’ in north London and take the proverbial bull by the horns.
That man was Olivier Giroud.
The chiselled forward was on flames during pre season but was still widely regarded as a waste of money by outsiders – his 11 goals in 34 games last season impressing few. However, he has so far hit three goals in three Premier League games this season and people are finally starting to turn.
He is currently joint top goalscorer – with Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge and Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke – but has played less time than both of those.
With Mesut Ozil somehow being rectuited into the club, Wenger will be rubbing his thighs in anticipation of the Germany international, as well as Theo Walcott and Santi Cazorla, feeding Giroud to fire them up the table.
Olivier Giroud has arrived, Premier League beware.