Arsenal: Olivier Giroud forcing Alexandre Lacazette to bench

Arsenal brought in Alexandre Lacazette to solve the striker situation, but Olivier Giroud is making benching the newbie look like a sensible move.

Arsenal’s preseason has served to remind us that, yes, Robert Pires (and I) was right. Alexandre Lacazette is going to need time and there is no great harm in that. Other than what might potentially emerge as a tense situation if the more viable option – starting Olivier Giroud over Lacazette, comes to pass.

To put it simply, as of right now, it feels like it’s smarter to start Giroud on opening day, but would that ruffle Lacazette’s feathers? How would he react? Because you’d look like a twat if you get riled up over that, but at the same time, he isn’t here to sit.

Then again, you have to be fair to Giroud. This man constantly performs and it’s no secret that when comparing the two, Giroud has a much more solid ground to stand out. Lacazette just hasn’t had a good preseason and that’s at no fault of his own. It’s natural.

It all depends on the perceived reaction of Lacazette. Because let’s be honest, he has not proven that he should be starting opening day. Again, that’s perfectly normal. But the objective is to take three points and we have to ask ourselves who puts the club in a better position to do that.

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The answer is Giroud. And that is the only question that needs to be asked.

You could get away with starting both, but then who do you sit, Alex Iwobi? Theo Walcott? Both have proven intelligent creators and Lacazette at the moment looks like a lost dog. Again, don’t think I’m not appreciating the signing, I’m just being sensible here. This is to be expected.

Lacazette needs to be out there in some capacity and he will come on as a sub if he doesn’t start and that is looking like the better situation here, because it gives him a chance to go against a weary defense, which could give him the space he needs to make something happen.

And not just that, but it will boost his confidence. Giroud is known for his ability to batter a defense, so let him do that, then in the 70th minute, slip Lacazette in there, preferably with Giroud still on the pitch, and let him cherry pick a goal.

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There is certainly a benefit to making him fight his way into the starting XI, and that is that you never risk him feeling entitled. Make him earn his stripes and he will never take them for granted.

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