Arsenal: Ruling out Olivier Giroud exit narrowminded

Arsenal have, per Sky Sports, ruled out an Olivier Giroud exit this January window. Given that he was meant to be a part of the Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang deal, it seems a narrowminded decision to take.

Arsenal’s move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is beginning to hit a sticking point. As is ever the case with this notoriously draconian, tight-fisted club, that sticking point revolves around price.

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The Gunners have had two bids rejected, reaching a reported valuation of £50 million; Borussia Dortmund are, justifiably, holding out for £60 million. It is clear to see where the issues lie. But as the move was first pondered, and bandied about in the media, much to the disbelief of the general public, myself very much included, this was not seen as a straight cash deal.

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Initially, the primary hurdle that Arsene Wenger had to overcome was Dortmund’s unwillingness to sell without being able to procure an immediate and ready-made replacement. Thankfully, it seemed as though Arsenal had the perfect player in waiting: An experienced, accomplished, decorated, and successful centre-forward, who has European and international experience, is unable to forge his way in the first team at the Emirates, and, in a World Cup year, is yearning for regular playing time. It was a no-brainer.

Moreover, Olivier Giroud is a player who has attracted interest from Dortmund in the past. When there were suggestions of Aubameyang potentially moving on in the summer, it was Giroud, among others, who was highlighted as a possible replacement. This is a player that would, I believe, like to leave, if the playing circumstances are right; this is a club who want the player.

For Arsenal, it makes perfect sense to upgrade the already departed Theo Walcott, who they did well to prise £20 million from Everton for, and Giroud with Aubameyang, a fully-fledged centre-forward who can elevate the collective attack to a new level.

So that is exactly why they have, per Sky Sports, ruled out any possibility of Giroud leaving in this January window, leaving just one possibility for a potential Aubameyang deal: a straight cash buy, something that, as we all know too well, is not proceeding all that smoothly.

I just cannot make sense of it. I am a supporter of Giroud. I recognise his value to this team, the versatility that he provides the attack, the importance of having a complement to what can become a one-dimensional, aimless, predictable offence at times. But the chance to sign a player of Aubameyang’s quality does not come around all that often.

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Arsenal now have that chance, and they are throwing it away through penny-pinching and narrowmindedness. It would be a great shame to see them waste it.