Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has been restricted to a bit-part role this season and has shown a “positive anger” at the situation, as revealed by his manager Arsene Wenger following the forward’s equaliser against Manchester United last Saturday.
The Frenchman is yet to start a game this season in the English top flight after appearing as a substitute in six of the Gunners’ 12 games played. Giroud was given time off after his participation in the Euro 2016 during the summer and has failed to break into the side since.
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Wenger has gone for a three-pronged attack that sees Alexis Sanchez play through the middle, Theo Walcott, who has rediscovered his good old form and the mobility and creativity of Mesut Ozil. All three have played their part in sending Arsenal into the top four.
Between the current front three, 14 goals have been scored in the Premier League alone, further validating Wenger’s choices.
Giroud was brought into the game at Old Trafford to replace Mohamed Elneny in the 73rd minute. He then went on to bag the all-important equaliser that put the brakes on Man United at Old Trafford – a ground Wenger has not found a win at since 2006.
Also read: EPL 2016/17: 5 players who are too good for the bench
Alongside Giroud, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Granit Xhaka, too came off the bench to prove their worth and their manager reckons the quality on their substitute bench will prove the difference for them as the season wears on.
“He's angry in a positive way,” Wenger told the club website, adding that the only way his fellow Frenchman would regain his starting spot was to continue to prove his worth.
“I think we have the quality and the spirit on the bench, the two together makes us remarkably dangerous until the last minute.” he added.
Arsenal currently occupy the fourth position on the table after matchday 12 with 25 points, three adrift of leaders Chelsea who managed a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough on Sunday.
Giroud’s three goals this season have all been scored from the substitute’s bench and with games against Bournemouth, West Ham, Stoke City and Everton coming up before the big one against Manchester City, Wenger will count on all his stars including the angry Frenchman during this hectic period.
(Video courtesy: Arsenal FC)
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