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Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud has admitted that his team mates are already struggling from fatigue ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup clash with Liverpool, which is followed by a Champions League date with Bayern Munich three days later.
The Gunners played out an uneventful goalless draw against rivals Manchester United in midweek as they missed the chance to return to the top of the league, with the Frenchman singled out for criticism as he failed to provide an attacking spark for his side to build on.
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However, while the 27-year-old admitted he was pleased with the result against the Red Devils, his revelation that the north Londoners are suffering from weariness will be a real worry for boss Arsene Wenger.
“I think we had a good reaction after the bad result against Liverpool. I think it’s a good draw to be honest even if we could have scored at the end. It was maybe just about our confidence.
“We did well in the first half especially, but after we looked a bit tired. It’s OK, we had a good reaction on the pitch and I think that’s the most important thing even if we wanted to win this game.
“I’m confident for the remaining games and we’ll know a bit more about our future after Liverpool and Bayern because we want to play in every competition,” he told reporters.
The fact Arsenal are suffering from heavy legs so soon after embarking on a gruelling fixture list that will determine their season is a cause for concern. Wenger opted not to bring in a striker in January, leaving Giroud, Nicklas Bendtner and Yaya Sanogo as their only options.
A lack in squad depth and the fixture pile up could unhinge Arsenal’s chances of success as The Gunners need to avenge last week’s humbling at the hands of Liverpool and then entertain reigning European champions just a matter of days later.
Giroud is right, we will know more about Arsenal’s future after the next two games, but their season could be in tatters by then, with the Premier League their only remaining chance of silverware.
