Arsenal: Frank Lampard hits Olivier Giroud nail on head

Frank Lampard believes that keeping Olivier Giroud was one of the best bits of business that Arsenal did in the summer. He has hit the nail on the head.

Arsenal did a great degree of business this summer. Although they only signed two players, one of which was on a free transfer as his contract expired, they did make many sales.

Arsene Wenger described the squad as ‘heavy’ as he entered the window. Sales were inevitable. The matter of a successful window, then, would depend on what sales were made and what sales were not made. And Frank Lampard is somewhat glowing in his assessment of one sale that was not completed.

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Olivier Giroud was very close to leaving in the summer. Ronald Koeman revealed that he had Giroud in the building, but could not convince him to sign, with the Frenchman choosing to stay in North London even though he had no real chance of starting with the club-record addition of Alexandre Lacazette. And Lampard believes that was one of the best things that could have happened:

"“One of the best things to happen to Arsenal during the summer transfer window was Olivier Giroud staying at the club. While I’m not sure if it was the be all and end all for Koeman’s demise, it’s already proved great business for Arsenal to have kept him. Giroud is their Plan B. Importantly, he gives them a different option to the other attacking players they’ve got. It is a great asset to have in your squad.”"

The Chelsea midfielder, who is, as expected given the nous and intelligence that he played with, an adept and accurate pundit, hits the nail on the head. Giroud is the perfect foil to Lacazette.

While Lacazette is smaller in stature, relying on short and sharp movement, clinical finishing, deceptive speed and agility, and a slight and subtle touch, Giroud plays in a very different manner. He is a bullying, bustling centre-forward, who bulldozes his way through and over defenders. He backs his way into the box, he holds the ball up, he occupies attention, and he brings onrunning midfielders into attacking moves.

Moreover, late on in games, when space is cramped and time on the ball is restricted, the option that Giroud offers in attacking through a more aerial and direct route is a unique one that few other players in the squad can provide.

Giroud lacks the consistency in goalscoring to ever fire a team to a title. That is why so much was invested in Lacazette. But as a foil, as an alternative option, as a late-game replacement, there are few players better-suited than Giroud. Lampard is right. His staying might be one of the best bits of business that the club made.

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