Sunderland 1-3 Arsenal: Five talking points

2) Olivier Giroud can score outside London too –

Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring Arsenal’s first goal during the EPL match between Sunderland and Arsenal at the Stadium of Light – Set up by Ozil, Giroud scored his first EPL goal outside London

The French hitman has been in tremendous form from the beginning of this season. Some of his finishes this season have been very good to say the least, a key area for which he had been criticized many a times last season.

Not only was Giroud’s goal yesterday another exquisite finish, it also was unique given the fact it was the Frenchman’s first ever EPL goal outside London. That’s right, all of his previous 14 goals came in London, whether at home or on the road.

The goal also helped calm some nerves among Arsenal fans, by putting forward a positive response to questions raised if Giroud would be the right man to complement Ozil’s presence in the team.

It might be too early to jump onto conclusions, but at least it’s one step in the direction of the belief that yes, Giroud can convert the deliveries of Ozil. (A notion for which Walcott will come under fire after missing out on a chance to score a first half hat-trick).