10 Things We Learned About Arsenal from FA Community Shield Win over Chelsea

8. Arsenal may need another striker

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Time to take a brief turn to negative town. Arsenal deployed Theo Walcott over Olivier Giroud, which according to Wenger was because of Walcott’s ability to make runs in behind then defense. However, aside from providing the assist for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott was virtually unseen.

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The forward only managed 12 touches of the ball in 65 minutes of play. Olivier Giroud had 19 touches in just 35 minutes (via WhoScored.com). None of that bodes well. Arsenal have always had trouble against the bigger teams and if Theo Walcott turns out to be another striker who struggles against those bigger teams, then Arsenal seriously need to look into outside help.

Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott are good strikers, but solidifying that position with a bonafide world-class option would make Arsenal darn near unstoppable.

There are some good tests coming up for Arsenal against some stingy defenses. West Ham is solid at the back and Crystal Palace is as physical as they come. Then comes Liverpool who factor to be competing for a Champions’ League spot.

We will just have to see if these strikers will cut it.

Next: Number 7