Fans must understand that Olivier Giroud is not Robin Van Persie.

Afternoon all,

Its the end of the week and unfortunately we cannot look forward to an Arsenal game this weekend. We have to contest with more internationals, as if the Euros, Olympics and friendlies weren't enough. This is usually the time of year where Arsenal fans cross their fingers and pray that none of our players come back with any injury of any sort. To top all of that off we have more players to worry about than any other Premier League team - 14 first team members will be playing for their countries. At least we don't have to sweat over the fitness of Van Persie anymore.

With the apparent lack of Arsenal news about, I am taking the opportunity to discuss our new signing, Olivier Giroud. The big centre forward has found his 1st two and a half games a bit tough failing to open his account, while drawing criticism from media and fans alike for missing two guilt-edged chances against Sunderland and Liverpool. Obviously I find this criticism to be utterly ridiculous but it has intensified in the last week after the other 2 signings, Podolski and Cazorla, were able to find the net. Such has been the intensity of the criticism that he has had to come out twice to explain himself. He has not even played 3 full games and here we are getting impatient with his apparent lack of goal scoring ability, with some already labeling him Chamakh 2.0. Giroud already had massive pressure on his shoulders joining a club such as Arsenal but it was compounded by people's belief that he was bought as Van Persie's replacement. But he is not going to replace Van Persie as he has already said on three occasions. It would be almost impossible for him to come in and provide 30 goals and 12 assists in his first season in the Premier League. 

There are also those fans who are trying to defend Giroud by saying things like 'his movement is excellent' and 'his work rate is fantastic'. I appreciate both of those points but the fact is that you don't need to defend him. He has been brought in for a reason and let me tell you this: Arsene Wenger does not pay over 10mil for a flop. I cannot remember one player who has turned out to be. Was/is Arshavin a flop? I don't believe that. If you look at his stats they show the picture of a good and very efficient player. He is frustrating at times and has not been at it for a while now. But he has bags of talent waiting to be released. Giroud has the talent and the ability to be a big hit in our league. He just needs time and fans to understand that he isn't Robin van Persie.

"Till Tomorrow


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