Arsenal: Olivier Giroud still has many pages to fill, but with a different pen

Olivier Giroud has stated that his Arsenal story is not yet over. And he’s right. He still has many pages to fill. But he will be doing so with a different pen.

The departure of Robin van Persie was an undoubtedly damaging one. The Dutchman was the epicentre of the Arsenal forward line. A ruthless finisher, a prolific goalscorer, a leader, a captain. His exit forced Arsene Wenger into action. A replacement was required. Olivier Giroud was the man that he found.

The Frenchman, while never reaching the same relentless heights of van Persie, has been a diligent and faithful servant. Committed without err or caution, wholehearted in his desperation to win, always striving for his best, always bringing unquestioned effort. Giroud may have lacked the cutting-edge quality of his predecessor, but his application could not be suspected.

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However, although his character may not be lacking, Wenger wanted a change. His immobility, his inconsistent finishing, and the peaks and troughs of his form throughout a season led to Wenger searching for a replacement. It was time for a new striker.

The man that Wenger signed was Alexandre Lacazette, in a club-record £47 million deal. And, as expected, he has ousted Giroud from the starting line-up, resigning his international teammate to Europa League and Carabao Cup appearances. That has led to many reports suggesting that Giroud will leave the Emirates. But Giroud, speaking after France’s 2-0 win against Wales, a game in which he scored, was quick to refute such rumours, stating that his Arsenal story has not yet finished:

"“I’m sure Arsene was watching, especially because Aaron [Ramsey] was playing too. He’s always supporting me and there is a lot of trust in each other. He trusts in me and I try to give it back on the pitch when I can. For the moment I am not questioning myself about my future. I am happy at Arsenal and I am fine with the decision to stay because I want to. I am thinking that the story between the club and myself was not over and not finished. We will see what happens but I am happy at Arsenal for the moment.”"

And Giroud is right. He still has many, many pages to fill in. Now 31, he is entering the latter years of his career, and he perhaps cannot be relied upon to lead the line for a full season, as is required by a title-challenging team, or at least a team that hopes to be title-challenging. But that does not mean that his story must end. Simply, it must change.

Giroud has adapted to his new, ‘super-sub’ role wonderfully. He offers a unique aerial threat that no other player in the squad can replicate, he leads a young side in Europe with experience and professionalism, and he complements a pacier but slighter Lacazette perfectly.

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Giroud may not be the man anymore, as he is perhaps used to being. But that does not mean that his story has come to end. He still has many pages to fill. He just has to use a different pen.

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