From replaceable to irreplaceable: Olivier Giroud has proved his critics wrong

Olivier Giroud

Olivier Giroud must have spent much of the summer wondering if he’d get a game for Arsenal this season.

The Gunners were embroiled in long-running transfer sagas with both Gonzalo Higuain and latterly Luis Suarez. Both players were earmarked for the central striking spot Giroud had occupied, with mixed results, throughout 2012/13 campaign.

Throughout pre-season, Giroud refused to let the speculation bother him. Instead, he focused on one thing: scoring goals. He was incredibly prolific during Arsenal’s tour of Asia, but many expected that record to drop off once he returned to elite competition.

However, the Frenchman’s good form has continued.

Last weekend against Southampton, Arsenal’s number 12 notched his ninth and tenth goals of season. Last season, it took him until January to reach that landmark. The fact he has reached double-figures before November is out is indicative of his rapid improvement.

Giroud’s goals may have won him plaudits and headlines aplenty, but his selfless toil is what makes him so important in the current Arsenal side.

His hold-up play remains integral to Arsenal’s game. He retains the athleticism and power to hold off defenders, winning more than 50% of duels in the air. Overall, he has won 47% of all one-on-one battles.

By contrast, Suarez has won just 38% of his duels at Liverpool. While he remains a lethal goalscorer, he would not be able to lead the line with the same power as Giroud.

When it comes to headed duels, only Marouane Chamakh and Christian Benteke have won more aerial battles.

However, the most startling advance has been in Giroud’s technical play. He is often categorised as a one-dimension target man, but his ever-improving ball skills make him so much more than just an aerial threat. Indeed, only one of the Frenchman’s eight Premier League goals has been scored with his head.

Total Goals Scored

His link-up play is arguably the best in the Premier League. Giroud has already laid on 17 chances this season, collecting four assists – including the spectacular flick to create one of the goals of the season: Jack Wilshere’s wonderfully collaborative effort against Norwich.

Having spent most of the summer waiting to be replaced, Giroud now finds himself as an irreplaceable cog in the Arsenal machine.

Arsene Wenger’s team have developed a style of play which is contingent on having a tireless, physical forward with the capacity to hold off defenders and bring the attacking midfield talents of Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and others in to play.

Giroud’s all-round game has made him utterly indispensable.