Arsenal: Olivier Giroud Has Done All Of This Before

Arsenal is in the midst of a magnificent spell from Olivier Giroud, but let’s remember that the Frenchman has been here before and needs further proof.

Arsenal has been lifted to recent success and savings thanks to Olivier Giroud, who has provided some of the most timely goals of his life in North London. Not only that, but his passion and fight has been unbridled.

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Then there was his Premier League goal of the season scorpion kick, which reminded us that the big man can be surprisingly dexterous at times. Think back to his opening goal of 2015-16, when he did a half-bicycle from an Ozil cross to score against Crystal Palace.

But believe it or not, I am not here to sing the praises of Olivier Giroud or his Arsenal exploits this time around. I am here to deliver a reminder that the big Frenchman has been here before. Meaning that, for as impressive as he has undoubtedly been, there is still something else he needs to show us – that this is not a fluke.

Last season Giroud had moments like this, where he was amazing and putting up a better goals-per-minutes clip than anyone else in England (or Europe).

Then he had that eleven match goalless drought where the Gunners were only able to wrangle three wins.

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There are many moods to Olivier Giroud and that is true for every player out there. But there are also very few strikers on top tier clubs, if any, that go on cold streaks quite like Giroud.

Thankfully, the Gunners aren’t as dependent on Giroud as they have been in past seasons, which is something I covered in depth recently. With Welbeck, Alexis and Lucas in waiting, there won’t be an eleven match goalless drought ever again.

That means that with four months left to the season, Giroud has his sights cleared of all distractions, he has the stage set, he has nothing in his way. It’s time for him to once and for all put the critics to bed. The pace he is on is going to be next to impossible to sustain, but the key is to keep poking in the occasional goal even when you’re in a down spell.

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If Giroud can do that, than I don’t see what further criticism any one can have. Then, at long last, all of my praise can be unanimously accepted. And what a glorious world that is.