Arsenal Vs Hull City: Olivier Giroud Absence A Huge Blow

Arsenal are set to return to the Premier League away at Hull City on Saturday. Olivier Giroud is a fitness concern and his absence would be a huge blow.

Since the return of club football after the international break, in two consecutive games, Arsenal have thrown up some rather surprising selections. Granit Xhaka started neither game, Alex Iwobi returned to start almost immediately from injury without easing him in over a period of weeks and Lucas Perez made an unexpected full debut.

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Perhaps more than any other position, though, the lone forward has created the most uncertainty and controversy. The aforementioned Perez debut was anticipated by very few and midweek, Alexis Sanchez once again got the start as a false nine. Both decisions perhaps suggest that Arsene Wenger is wavering from his longtime number one centre-forward.

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Olivier Giroud has not started one match since returning late after an extended break afforded to him due to fatigue from an arduous European Championships with France. He was not expected to resume his role as the starting striker immediately, but now well into September, it is a surprise that he has not yet started at least one game.

His absence has been noticed. Only against a Watford side that were lost in a lacklustre first half performance have Arsenal looked dangerous going forward, often dominating possession without having any cutting edge, devoid of ideas in the final third. This Saturday, when the Gunners travel to Hull City, they should once again win the battle of possession. To win the game, Giroud’s usage would have been crucial, but in his pre-match press conference, Wenger stated the Frenchman is a fitness concern.

While not a prolific goalscorer by any stretch of the imagination, Giroud offers far more than just goals. Especially against lesser sides and deeper defences, the holdup play of Giroud is invaluable to Arsenal’s attacking play. He provides a focal point for the likes of Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla to play off.

With Sanchez up front, Wenger’s sides have lacked a target in central areas. Sanchez prefers to roam free, happy to drop deep and drift wide. Giroud is much more stationary in his movement, allowing others to make runs around him. Against a resolute Hull side who will be looking to cramp the space with which Ozil and Sanchez can exploit, the physical presence that Giroud provides is absolutely vital.

That is the scenario that faces this side without the French international. Giroud has been a great asset for this Arsenal side for some time, but thanks to a big toe injury, he is unlikely to play on Saturday (I would be very surprised to see him start, but he may come off the bench).

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There has been a noticeable rotation among the Arsenal centre-forwards over the past week, all without the services of Giroud. Now, he is set to miss the starting lineup once again, this time, due to injury and his absence is a huge blow for Wenger’s side to overcome.