Arsenal: Olivier Giroud won’t leave in January, but he should

Olivier Giroud has proven himself the most loyal athlete alive, and that’s why he won’t leave Arsenal in January. Although he absolutely should.

For the longest time, Olivier Giroud was all Arsenal had. They relied on him like a pack mule and asked far too much of him. So much, in fact, that he could never possibly deliver. One man cannot lift a team to the Premier League title, yet that is what was expected of the Frenchman and he had very few allies to help him accomplish it.

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Things have changed. Now, rather than rely on Giroud, he is instead limited to cameo appearances in the Premier League and starting appearances with the rotational squad in secondary competitions.

When Alexandre Lacazette arrived, it hailed the beginning of the end, although it had really already been hailed the previous year when he was pushed aside for the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck.

Giroud faced numerous opportunities to leave the Gunners in the summer. Both Everton and Marseilles provided an enticing out where he could find more, consistent playing time and where he could solidify his standing with the French National team (if indeed, it even needs solidifying).

But in the ultimate act of loyalty, Giroud stayed because his story was not yet complete with the club. One can only assume that he wanted to see Arsenal through to a major trophy or, at the very least, to close out the Wenger era with the club.

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January is coming up and Giroud has played just 115 Premier League minutes in the first six matches of the season. That’s less than 20 minutes a match. This is no way for a striker with clearly so much to give (watch France play) to go about life in the top flight.

Rumors are circulating that Everton are going to come knocking yet again for the Frenchman. The Toffees truly only lack a dynamic striker. After all, they have Wayne Rooney and Gylfi Sigurdsson to create the chances and provide the service.

It would be a fantastic opportunity for Giroud to rise to the the top (in more ways than one) yet again and as someone who has had undying support for the big man since he arrived, I want to see him get what he deserves and Everton would be just that.

But he won’t leave. Because to cut out in the middle of the season when the Gunners will still presumably be involved in numerous side competitions that Giroud will play a major role in and he will feel an obligation to see out those responsibilities.

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So while Everton is better for his life as a striker and his legacy as an individual, Giroud will stay at Arsenal for his legacy as a Gunner.