Arsenal: Jamie Vardy Means Nothing To Olivier Giroud

Arsenal’s signing of Jamie Vardy has led many to wonder what this means to Olivier Giroud. Call it crazy, but I’m here to tell you it means very little.

Arsenal’s social media world is blowing up with opinions about Jamie Vardy. He’s either being touted as the piece that wins us the title or he is being scorned as not enough. But no matter what the consensus, many are of the opinion that Vardy is here to replace Olivier Giroud.

Not at all. Jamie Vardy and Olivier Giroud play two very different styles. One is a quick-footed, counter-attacking specialist. The other is a hold-up, aerial threat. Both are styles that Arsene Wenger has utilized, both have led to success, and both will continue to be seen on the pitch by our men in red.

Jamie Vardy is no replacement for Giroud, he is a replacement for Theo Walcott. Walcott was supposed to be the foil for Giroud. He was supposed to be the alternative to Giroud’s style. It worked for about a month, but Walcott’s imperfections got in the way – namely his inability to do anything except run in a straight line with a rapid gait.

That left Arsenal in a precarious situation (as it always had), because they were completely reliant on Giroud, as Welbeck was out until God only knew when. That worked fine for awhile. Need I remind everyone that Arsenal went 18-1-2 when Giroud contributed to a goal.

But the infamous Giroudrought (I’m patenting that word) of 2016 struck and left Arsenal starved for options.

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This time around, with Welbeck already known to be out until 2017, Wenger is not going to risk it. He is going to purchase a true foil for Giroud. Someone who is like Walcott, only more technically gifted and a much better finisher.

They are going to offset each other perfectly. But one without the other is going to be that same wavering stilt trying to hold up a promising Arsenal team. That’s why they need each other.

Giroud himself has always welcomed a true striker to come to Arsenal, but Wenger has never answered this until now. And, true to his word, the big Frenchman is perfectly okay with the prospect of Vardy coming to Arsenal. Have a listen:

Giroud is a fantastic striker when he is on his game and allowed to play his style. But on the counter, he lags behind like a dapper Per Mertesacker.

Vardy is technically gifted, but if he gets suffocated by defenses sitting back, he can get flustered and be forced to shoot from deep.

These are the two types of situations Arsenal will be dealing with and they have an answer for both. Vardy’s pending arrival means diddly to Giroud. If anything, it just means that he will have consistent competition all season for the first time since he arrived at Arsenal. That’s a good thing.

Take is as a sign, as soon as the rumors hit that Vardy was on his way, Giroud scored two for France. Call it a coincidence if you want.

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Whatever the case, don’t expect (or wish for, rather) Giroud to disappear. He means so much to Arsenal and their ability to control opponents. Do, however, look for these two to bolster each other like Wenger had always intended with Giroud and Walcott/Welbeck.

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