Arsenal: Would This Key Formation Make Olivier Giroud Relevant Again?

With Alexis Sanchez excelling in the striker’s role of late, it seems Olivier Giroud will have to adapt to being Arsenal’s second choice for now, but could a change in formation bring the Frenchman back in contention for a starting role?

I will be the first to admit that I did not think Alexis Sanchez would last playing as Arsenal’s lone centre-forward. After watching him operating there for our opening two games of the season I thought it would only be a matter of time before he returned to the left wing. Yet, he has grown into the role and is now producing stellar performances, bringing the best out of the likes of Alex Iwobi and especially Theo Walcott in the process.

Alexis’ performances have seen Olivier Giroud fall down the pecking order at Arsenal. While his malignant toe injury also has its role to play, it looks like Giroud will struggle to start many games in the near future for the club.

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The Frenchman certainly brings qualities to the table that not many strikers do and can be considered a member of the dying breed. He is a classic, bustling no. 9 who holds the ball up and is fantastic in the air. Yet even Arsene Wenger has caught on that modern football is now played at a faster more frantic pace. This style of football does not suit Giroud and is one of the reasons he is being frozen out at the moment.

But having been a keen observer of Giroud at the Euros, it occurred to me, and to many others, that he might be best operating with a faster more mobile strike partner. At the summer tournament, Giroud was partnered with the player of the tournament, Antoine Griezmann, and it’s safe to say they ripped it up. With 9 goals between them and excellent link up play throughout, the duo were key to France’s success in the tournament.

So with Giroud struggling to get into the team, could Wenger bring him back into relevance by partnering him with Alexis in a 4-4-2 formation? Henry was the first to think of this idea (the man knows a thing or two about goal scoring combinations) But having seen Alexis adapt remarkably well at CF, it could be a match made in heaven if he combined with Giroud.

Giroud thrives off giving knockdowns and little one-twos. Providing him with a partner in crime at club level could be the perfect plan B for Arsenal. A game like Burnley is a classic example where the double strike duo could be used effectively.

With the opposition sitting so deep, the only joy for Arsenal was in wide areas. Yet they had nobody to pick out in the box. With both Giroud and Alexis, Arsenal could add some variation to their new found fast-paced attack. Against teams where there isn’t space in behind, the 4-4-2 set-up could work wonders.

The only thing potentially stopping Wenger from using a 4-4-2 (apart from his tactical stubbornness) is the Ozil proposition. A 4-4-2 formation doesn’t have a natural no.10 and this is where Ozil does his best work. Yet, in particular games, Ozil could be moved to the left or even the centre of midfield (if partnered by a defensive player like Xhaka or Coquelin) and we could still reap the rewards of his creativity.

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So what do you think Gooners? Could a 4-4-2 formation with Alexis and Giroud work? Or will the Frenchman have to sit it out and wait for his opportunity while Alexis continues his excellent form? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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