%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Arsenal: The Olivier Giroud And Zlatan Ibrahimovic Narrative
Thierry Henry compared Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s goal to the talents of Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud. They have similar success but contrasting narratives this year.
Arsenal underwent a striking revolution this season. Since moving to a lone centre-forward system, Arsene Wenger has always looked to play with someone who excels with his back to goal, receiving the ball to feet and then bringing others into play, knitting together the often overly intricate passing in the final third.
Related Story: Arsene Wenger's Best Starting XI
Olivier Giroud has been that man since he came to replace Robin Van Persie in the summer of 2012. This season, though, The Frenchman has been displaced, with Alexis Sanchez starting the majority of the Premier League games, bringing a greater mobility and dynamism to the position. But that has not stopped his predecessor from having a successful season. As of January 5th, Giroud has a better minute to goal or assist ratio than every player in Europe; 49 minutes per goal or assist to be precise.
More from Pain in the Arsenal
- 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
- 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
- 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
- Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
- 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
Meanwhile, the ageless wonder that is Zlatan Ibrahimovic is dispelling the last remaining doubters of his exuberant talent. Cocky, arrogant and detestable, the big Swede is truly magnificent on the pitch, spearheading Manchester United with 14 goals in the Premier League this season, including an extraordinarily contorted header to rescue a draw against Liverpool on Sunday. This is what Thierry Henry had to say about the remarkable finish:
"“The only player other than him who can score a goal like that in this league at the moment is Olivier Giroud. I mean what a finish and that’s why that guy will go down as one of the best ever in history. How can you get that back on target? I don’t know!”"
His comments greatly intrigued me. Both United’s saviour and Giroud entered the season with vastly contrasting narratives. Giroud, the turbulent and tempestuous, inconsistent and infuriating compared to the enigmatically fantastic Zlatan, the man who proclaims his own wonders, and then, provides more than necessary evidence to support such ambitious claims.
It is funny, then, that both have had such similar seasons with such different context. Ibrahimovic has been ever-present in the United side, starting all but one league game thus far. Giroud has started just four. However, the two have been prolific in their time on the pitch, combining for 37 goals in just six short months for club and country.
Next: Arsenal Vs Swansea City: 5 Things We Learned
More than their statistic success, though, it is the character of their existence that is so interesting. The inspiration that they provide, the leadership that they boast. They are not just goal getters. They are team drivers, late-game rescuers and potential league winners. And yet, they have so little in common.