Arsenal: Olivier Giroud injury should, but won’t, merit a reaction

Arsenal will be without Olivier Giroud until February 8th, which should prompt a reaction from Arsene Wenger but, let’s be honest, it won’t.

When Olivier Giroud pulled up lame against West Ham with a hamstring problem, the expectation was that it would be a three week lay-off, just like every other hamstring issue. It isn’t. It will be a six week lay-off, and Arsenal will be without him until February 8th.

This is a much bigger blow than it seems. This isn’t just a squad player getting a knock for a month or two. This is the preordained Arsenal savior, the only “Plan B” getting a knock for a month or two.

So let’s talk consequences. For starters, everything is going to fall on Alexandre Lacazette. With Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott both with the world to prove, Lacazette is Plan A and the only plan. There will be no savior, no aerial menace, no alternative method of scoring.

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If the Gunners struggle, they will have to turn to a perpetually misfiring Welbeck or, well, Walcott.

That’s not a situation you want to be in, especially with the Europa League becoming a higher priority. Lacazette can’t and won’t play every midweek fixture and without Giroud to take those matches, our finishing ability takes a serious hit.

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Which means that a reaction should not be out of the question. January is right around the corner and maybe (it’s about to get crazy) you recall Lucas Perez or find another short term solution to cope with Giroud’s lay-off and the acclimation that will follow.

Like I said, I know it’s crazy. But confining the club to the whims of Welbeck and Walcott, the blind-alley brothers, is the other option, and that is even crazier.

Of course, youth could also be the answer. Eddie Nketiah will have a fresh opportunity to get some more playing time and Chuba Akpom might even benefit, though he is likely on his way out regardless.

Whatever the case, the one thing we absolutely cannot do is nothing, though that is the one thing we figure to do. Untied have Lukaku and Zlatan. City have Jesus and Aguero. Even Chelsea have Morata and Batshuayi. We have Lacazette and…?

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I think the world of Giroud, but if he doesn’t figure to factor into the Gunners plans beyond how they are using him, then is it so crazy to think that maybe it’s time to make a move for something – or someone – else?