Arsenal: Olivier Giroud Should Be Quaking In His Boots

Arsenal were magnificent against Southampton, putting on an attacking clinic of pace and mobility. Olivier Giroud should be fearing for his starting role.

That was an excellent attacking performance by Arsenal on Saturday. Without the creative force of Mesut Ozil or the relentless energy of Alexis Sanchez – for much of the game at least, if not for a maddening substitution late in the game – the Gunners still scored five excellently worked goals and created a whole host more chances.

Arsene Wenger rung the changes in midfield, deputising Ozil, Sanchez, Francis Coquelin and Aaron Ramsey with Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and the celebratory return of Danny Welbeck; his first start this season, scoring his first goals since April 2016.

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However, there was one change that was perhaps more significant than any other, and it wasn’t a mere personnel switch up on Wenger’s part. In his post-match interview, Wenger analysed the attacking clinic that he watched his team put on from the stands as he served the first of his four-game touchline ban by heralding the movement and fluidity of his side’s attacking play:

"We were very dynamic, explosive and overall we had a good consistent performance over 90 minutes and everybody played well. Welbeck has been out for such a long time, I didn’t expect him to score straight away and it shows the desire is there. People say I make changes but I bring in Walcott, Welbeck and Perez, all top-quality players. After that I try to find the best balance for the team.”"

That is bad news for one man in particular. Olivier Giroud had enjoyed a rich vein of form since being reinstated to the starting lineup in the Boxing Day win over West Brom. But although his towering presence made Arsenal a different prospect to defend against, his lack of mobility, especially when asked to dart in behind or drift into wide areas, severely hindered the side’s attacking potency on the whole.

If the five-goal demolition of Southampton proved anything – and it most certainly proved a lot – it was that the North London side are so much more dangerous without Giroud in the starting lineup. That is not to say that he has no use moving forward this season. He is still an excellent alternative to turn to late in games against stubborn defences.

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It is also not an indictment of his ability. Giroud excels at certain skills – his strength, his aerial prowess, his spatial awareness, first touch – but he lacks what Arsenal proved they require in attacking areas; dynamism. And now, there are plenty of others who do.

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