Arsenal: Explosive Giroud Criticism Of Wenger Utterly Ridiculous

Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud has publicly bemoaned Arsene Wenger’s treatment of him this season. Such explosive criticism is utterly ridiculous.

These comments are explosive. In what is perhaps best described as a rant, Olivier Giroud in no uncertain terms alludes to fairly strong criticism of how Arsenal and Arsene Wenger, in particular, have handled him this year, including venting his frustration at the unfortunate turn of events with injury and fatigue.

I will warn you that there are a lot of quotes in this piece before I give my take on the whole situation. So, this is how Giroud started his rant:

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"“When I look from the stands at Arsenal, the team plays well and made a very good start to the championship, I tell myself that the train leaves without me and that I must not get too far behind. He [Wenger] knew the need for a real break to the players who went far in the competition years Euro or World Cup. I wanted to play again quickly, but he really insisted that I take my time telling me that some players returned to their best until November.”"

After hinting at the issues that he had with Wenger early in the season when he was asked to rest having come back late from international duty with the French national side at the European championships, Giroud then proceeds to detail his anger at Wenger when he does eventually return to action:

"“I thought I would start because the coach had put me on the bench against Southampton, three days before. But no. It is in that moment, on the morning of the match in Paris, that I had a discussion with him. He said that I was close to returning. Frankly, I was hurt, disappointed. This meeting is finally terrible because I hurt my foot after two minutes of a start, and I couldn’t get in my stride.”"

The foot injury that scuppered Giroud’s return is most definitely unfortunate and unlucky for both player and club. Now, though, Giroud has moved on to discuss the disappointment with being named on the bench for the North London Derby on Sunday and considers his doubts regarding a stagnating game:

"“Against Sunderland, I scored a double with my first two touches. That will not happen to me every day. I was hoping to play against Tottenham (on Sunday) because I left two good matches. If my game time continues to stagnate, it will affect my future selection. I cannot play one game in five. But next, we must not (judge) in early November. And my future, I see it at Arsenal for two or three years I hope.”"

In all honesty, such comments just smack me as petulance, a childish behaviour in dealing with the natural disappointments that come with injuries and a competitive squad. Giroud should, instead of publicly bemoaning the treatment that he feels he has unfairly suffered from his manager, get his head down, work hard and focus on forcing Wenger’s hand in reinstating him to the starting lineup.

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I certainly hope that Giroud has aired such concerns and anger with Wenger in private before speaking publicly on his many issues this season. If he hasn’t, then Wenger will have to handle this potentially vital situation with great care. The criticism that Giroud puts on Wenger is utterly ridiculous, and he would be far better served in keeping his mouth shut and working hard. Oh dear, Olivier.

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