Arsenal: Olivier Giroud staying hinders his own dream

Olivier Giroud has stated that he wants to stay at Arsenal such that he can win the Premier League. However, by staying, he hinders his and the club’s very dream.

Arsenal have not won the Premier League since their Invincible campaign in 2004. 13 long years, many of them trophyless, have seen them succumb to the growing competition around them, such that they have now, for the first time in over two decades under Arsene Wenger’s guidance, failed to finish in the top four and will subsequently miss out on Champions League football next season.

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While the level of competition must be taken into account, such that we temper our critique of the club for failing to lift the Premier League since 2004, there is also an element of anticipation or belief that is missing: fans no longer dream or target a league title, nevermind expect one.

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But that is – or at least it should be – the ultimate end. That is a statement that Olivier Giroud agrees with. When asked about the rumours encircling his future beyond this summer, the French striker revealed that he wants, and envisages, to stay at the Emirates, with the hope that he win a title with the team that he has pervaded for the past five years:

"“There is nothing fixed, but I would say that today I feel good at Arsenal I have two more years on my contract, we will see what the future will be. The Premier League is an increasingly high-profile and contested championship, where five or six teams can potentially claim the title. This is why I still want to continue to want to win this title.”"

Unfortunately for Giroud, though, in chasing a title, Arsenal would be better served by dropping him to the bench or allowing him to leave. Although he has a set of very unique talents that, if tailored to, can be a huge benefit to the team, he also significantly shackles the potential of the whole attack.

His lack of mobility, his unwillingness to turn away from play and run into the channels, his poor movement when not in the box and his inability to play in a free-flowing, interchangeable front three that seems to unlock the best in a technical and creative midfield all hinder the attacking potency of the collective.

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Arsenal are a better side with Giroud not on the pitch, and despite his late-game-changing ability that is immeasurably important throughout a long and testing season, selling him this summer with the intention of recruiting a more prolific and complementary centre-forward would be a smart move to make, despite what his dreams may say.