Why the Newcastle's Loic Remy is the man to complete Arsenal’s attack

Loic Remy

Arsenal are in dire need of reinforcements in attack after a frustrating season with Olivier Giroud as their only striker. The Frenchman started the season well but went completely off the boil after Christmas – probably due to tiredness – and went missing in the big games.

It’s all great when he’s scoring against West Brom at home, but as the lone striker, Giroud really needed to do well in the bigger matches this season.

For that reason, Arsene Wenger needs to look for another striker, and not just a back-up – he needs a first-choice goal-scorer.

Newcastle United’s on-loan forward, Loic Remy, could be just that man. Arsenal have been linked with Remy for quite some time and his presence at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday sent rumours hurling. However, he was apparently only there as a guest of Bacary Sagna’s, who could be leaving the club in the summer.

Now, you may be sat there saying, ‘why would Arsenal buy Remy as a goal-scorer when he’s scored two fewer than Giroud in the league?’

It is simple, really. Giroud has played 35 games compared to Remy’s 26 and played 897 minutes more. To fairly compare the two Frenchmen, we must average out their figures over 90 minutes.

And when we do that, it is clear to see what Wenger should be doing over the summer.

Remy has scored 14 goals in the Premier League this season compared to Giroud’s 16 but the Newcastle man averaged 0.6 every 90mins, while Arsenal’s Giroud averaged 0.48. So already, there’s a clear difference. Should Remy play more often, he’ll score more often and I believe he has the ability to reach 20 in the league at Arsenal.

Remy is more prolific in front of goal, converting 21.5% of his chances compared to Giroud who has converted 19% of his.

He also creates more chances over 90-minute periods averaging 1.29 compared to Giroud’s 1.05. One of the key aspects of Giroud’s style of play is how he brings others into the attack by holding the ball up and laying it off to onrushing midfielders. However, if Remy is creating more then that part of Giroud’s game almost becomes void.

Remy is dominant over Giroud

Newcastle’s front man also takes more shots per 90 minutes (3.86) than Giroud (3.25). Often criticised for his ability on the ball, Giroud isn’t the most graceful of dribblers. He lacks a huge amount of pace and pays for it on the ball, often choosing to play a pass rather than try and beat the opposition player. Remy has completed 1.24 take-ons per 90mins while Giroud is below one, sitting at 0.72.

Judging by these statistics, Remy would be a much better fit for Arsenal than Giroud. Their current striker has been lambasted this season and many believe he is not good enough to start for a top four club.

Remy’s importance at Newcastle is huge as they’ve scored just once while he’s been absent. Obviously, Newcastle don’t have the quality of Arsenal but it says a lot that they struggle to score without him in the side. The Frenchman at Arsenal would flourish and he would be the goalscorer they’ve missed over the past two seasons.