Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez Making Olivier Giroud Starting Obsolete

Arsenal look their best when Alexis Sanchez is on the ball as frequently as possible. As such, the Chilean is making Olivier Giroud starting obsolete.

Sunday’s game was, after a breathtaking closing few minutes, a success. Whilst the performance was lacklustre in parts and consummate in others, as the title race hots up with the season coming to a second half climax, the result is what matters and the three points now leave Arsenal in second place and the closest challengers to the superiority of league leaders Chelsea.

However, though the Gunners’ title challenge still lives on, one that will culminate in a trip to Stamford Bridge in two weeks time, they are yet to reach the blistering form that served them so well earlier in the year.

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There are many changes, primarily forced thanks to injury or loss of form, to the approach of Arsenal between now and then, but there is one major difference in Arsene Wenger’s approach that is having a significant influence on the side’s performances.

The season opened up with Alexis Sanchez as the central striker. That was not, at least from an external perspective, a choice, but rather a decision enforced on Wenger thanks to injuries and fatigue to others in the squad. In the win over West Brom on Boxing Day, though, Olivier Giroud, after impressing in a series of substitute appearances, was reinstated as a lone centre-forward and has since started every single game, scoring in all but one.

While his goalscoring record may perhaps suggest otherwise, Arsenal, on the whole, suffer from having the towering Frenchman in the lineup. The North London outfit look their most dangerous when Sanchez enjoys regular possession in dangerous areas. Although he still threatens greatly from a wide area, his attacking skill and creativity is not maximised.

The Chilean is at his best playing in a free-roaming, central role, where he is given the freedom to drift out wide, if he so chooses, to drop deep and collect the ball on a regular basis and can also spin in behind if the space is there. He, and therefore Arsenal, is far more dangerous as a striker, not a winger.

After his cool, calm and collected penalty secured the win for his team Wenger said of his instinctive abilities: “That’s him – surprising! It never comes exactly out of him, what you expect. But he has the nerve. This guy is an instinctive competitor and it’s always very difficult to predict what he will do.”

"“That’s him – surprising! It never comes exactly out of him, what you expect. But he has the nerve. This guy is an instinctive competitor and it’s always very difficult to predict what he will do.”"

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Giroud is still a viable option. He provides a unique physical threat with aerial prowess that few in the Arsenal squad can match. Nonetheless, starting him is becoming an issue for this team. Sanchez is the real threat and if the title is a genuine hope, Wenger must make the most of his star’s exuberant skills.

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