It’s been an interesting season for Olivier Giroud.
The Frenchman has made just three Premier League starts so far this term but that hasn’t affected his contributions in the final third, with the former Montpellier man notching up an impressive six goals and three assists.
And despite not making a single start in the league until Boxing Day, Arsene Wenger appears to have brought him into the fold at just the right time, turning to a more old-fashioned, conventional centre-forward just as the Premier League entered it’s rather attritional, hectic winter period.
Giroud bagged the winner against West Brom on Boxing Day, netted that sensational scorpion kick during the New Year’s Day victory over Crystal Palace and was instrumental once again last night as Arsenal came back from 3-0 down to claim a point against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Indeed, as our infographic shows, the 30-year-old was crucial to the Gunners’ turnaround. His four successful aerial duels gave them an avenue to get the ball forward much quicker, whilst he also tested Artur Boruc himself with four shots at goal.
But most importantly, Giroud set up Alexis Sanchez’s and Lucas Perez’s strikes to make it 3-2, before leaping above Bournemouth defender Steve Cook to head home a stoppage time equaliser.
It was another fantastic performance from Giroud and one that gives Arsene Wenger a real selection headache for their next Premier League clash away at Swansea.
Does he continue to use the France international up front, or push Alexis Sanchez back up to the centre-forward role that has seen him claim 14 goals and nine assists across all competitions this season? We’re leaving the debate to our Arsenal readers…
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