Arsenal: Olivier Giroud Stakes His Convincing Claim

Olivier Giroud has scored in the last three Premier League goals. The towering Frenchman is staking his claim for Arsenal’s starting striker.

Arsenal have enjoyed a dramatic festive period. The two wins against West Brom and Crystal Palace came either with a last-gasp header or an outstanding scorpion kick, while the only draw of the three fixtures, the 3-3 rescue on Tuesday, was even more so enthralling.

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Throughout the three games, there has been a shift in the system from Arsene Wenger. The usual striker, Alexis Sanchez, has been shifted out to the left-wing, while Olivier Giroud, the former spearhead, has been reinstated to lead the line.

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The Frenchman has expressed his unhappiness with his reserve role so far this season, desperate to be given more regular game time in a bid to prove his worth. After the Bournemouth draw, the late comeback that was anchored on the hold-up play of Giroud, who racked up two assists before glancing a header past Artur Boruc in added time to secure the precious point for the Gunners, Wenger himself heralded the importance of the man who has now scored three goals in those three starts:

"“Every player is important. I thought Lucas came on and had an exceptional game. I said on Sunday that Giroud can score important goals – he has done that again today because when you play in the box he is dangerous. I think Lucas scored an exceptional goal of pure class. Giroud again scored because we dominated and he can score a header.”"

The Frenchman has been a divisive figure throughout his time in North London. Some love him, praising his ability to play with his back to goal and providing a focal point for the often aimless Arsenal attacks, others are not so fond, promoting his inconsistencies, his sporadic goalscoring record and the worrying trend of struggling in the big games that have plagued his time in England.

The truth likely lies somewhere in between but Giroud would not have you think so. He is, in no uncertain terms, staking his claim for more regular starts moving forward. Used to being the main man, his time on the bench will have aggravated a player who relies on his emotions, can be dented and inflated through the swings of confidence that the inconsistent world of modern football brings.

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Giroud is a player of great importance, as Wenger himself stated. How such importance manifests itself, though, may not be how Giroud himself would seek. Wenger has revealed that he will rotate Giroud and Sanchez depending on the opponent. This Christmas time has brought the opportunity against lesser sides. Giroud grabbed it but the sterner tests of his true value are still to come.