Arsenal: Olivier Giroud The Reluctant Rescuer

Olivier Giroud rescued Arsenal once again with a late goal. He is reluctant to play the reserve role, but is nonetheless important.

It is a characteristic of Arsenal’s great rival in the Premier League era, the Sir Alex Ferguson-led-Manchester United, that has repeatedly brought them great joy in this, Arsene Wenger’s 20th year. The ability to score late goals is an ability to be cherished.

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The old saying of ‘Fergie Time’ perhaps told more about the resilience of his side than it did anything else. While, when spoken, there are feelings of resentment, jealousy and even a poignant question of the referee’s integrity, ultimately it was United that were able to exploit their opposition late in games.

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It is a trick – though certainly not dependent on luck, given the frequency of their success – that has likely won them many Premier League titles. Indeed, it secured the 1999 treble with one of the greatest endings to a game in history; an Ole Gunnar-Soljskjaer special, smashing the ball into the roof of the net, confirming his side’s status as the king of the last-gasp. Now, though, it is Fergie’s adversaries that are copying his greatest act.

Olivier Giroud has, through little more than sheer will and determination, hauled Arsenal to unexpected results with late goals. He scored two against Sunderland, ensuring the victory, another against West Brom on Boxing Day, another at Bournemouth a week later and performed the great escape on Manchester United themselves, with a bullet-header, earning the Gunners an unlikely and wholly undeserved point.

In the FA Cup 3rd round win over Preston North End, it was once again Giroud who pulled the rabbit out the hat. Saving a trick up his sleeve, the Frenchman first flicked on a hopeful, long ball. Then darted into the penalty area before poking home a delightful backheel from Lucas Perez.

Cast as the magician, the escapee, the rescuer, Giroud has starred in his new role. Despite having a run of starts since being reinstated on Boxing Day, he has still sat on the bench far more frequently that he would have initially liked. Wenger has seen the explosive mobility of Alexis Sanchez as a better option in attacking areas, preferring the fluidity and dynamism that he brings.

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Giroud then, while he is ever rescuing his teammates, is reluctant in doing so. He wants to be the main man, the star of the show, the centrepiece. Perhaps, with every trick garnering more and more attention, one day this season, it will be him basking in the limelight.