Arsenal: Giroud, Walcott Or Alexis; Who Should Start Upfront?

Arsenal have a host of rather unconvincing striking options. Should Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott or Alexis Sanchez start upfront against Leicester City?

Arsenal are set to face Leicester City on Saturday evening with a host of selection dilemmas to be settled. Should Laurent Koscielny be rushed back to rescue an inexperienced defence? Does Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain deserve to start in place of Alex Iwobi? Who should play in the crucial central midfield duo with a host of different options to choose from?

All of these are pressing issues in the build-up to this weekend’s game, but another that has not been covered as extensively is the striking position. With the long anticipated return of Olivier Giroud, should he automatically resume his role upfront or should Theo Walcott or Alexis Sanchez continue in the role?

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The benefit of having such three diverse forward players means that the side can set up a variety of ways. Giroud suits a slower, possession-based style, where he can outmuscle opposing defenders, dominate aerially and provide a focal point for the Arsenal attack. He does not, though, fit in well with a high pace, counter attacking set up, and for Saturday’s game, that may well be the best strategy to employ.

Leicester’s threat comes from their frightening pace in attacking areas. One way to counteract this is to press high up the pitch and cut off their attacks at source, suffocating their playmakers, not allowing them to ever release their speedy forwards. While that tactic has its positives, it is certainly risky. One out of position centre-half playing Jamie Vardy onside and its a goal.

Another tactic to utlise is to sit deep, surrendur possession but remain compact and structured. While this strategy allows Leicester’s players to dominate the ball, it gives them far less space with which to work in. The key to employing this system, though, is having a considered threat at the other end, otherwise Leicester can pile forward with full knowledge that ramifications at the other end will be minimal.

Olivier Giroud is not the man to provide this threat. Pace is vital on the counter, and employing a front three of Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott and Sanchez would cause more problems than an unfit, short of match fitness Giroud.

Giroud is wrongly vilified among Arsenal circles and he offers much more to the team than many will care to admit. But his game does have limitations, primarily, his lack of pace, and against Leicester City, in Robert Huth and Wes Morgan, there are two centre-halves who can be exploited through speed.

The two are highly experienced at dealing with big, strong physical forwards like Giroud. To cause them problems, they have to be turned back towards goal, pulled out wide where they are far less comfortable.

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It is not a slight on Giroud that Arsenal would be better off employing Theo and Alexis in attacking areas. It is simply a system fit, and the best chance of victory on Saturday comes through the counter, and Giroud simply doesn’t offer such abilities.