View From The Sphere

Arsenal legend defends misfiring Gunner

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Nigel Winterburn believes Arsenal’s wide men need to step up a gear in order to get the best out of Olivier Giroud.

The 25-year-old French striker has only managed to score twice in 11 games in all competitions for The Gunners since his summer switch from Ligue 1 champions Montpellier.

However, the legendary left-back insists Giroud’s failure to find the net partially lies with the wide players’ inability to provide him service.

The 48-year-old sports pundit recently stated:

‘If you’re playing with a player like Giroud, who is not as quick or mobile as some players they’ve had up front previously, you have to vary it, get balls out wide, take players on and get crosses into the box.’

He added:

‘I don’t think Arsenal are playing to Giroud’s strengths and I’ve been disappointed with the wide players in the last couple of games. I don’t think they’ve produced the quality we expect from them.’

To a certain degree, Winterburn has a point – our wide men haven’t been providing Giroud with any great service to latch on to, especially in the crossing/corners department. Any lone striker will look poor if the service form the midfield/wingers is not up to standard.

However, on the other hand, Giroud has missed some sitters already this season – the one against Sunderland in the dying minutes of the game comes to mind.

In any case, if we want to see the best of Giroud, like Winterburn said, the wingers need to feed him and supply him ammunition. This is something I believe will come in time.

Has Winterburn got a point?

Give us your thoughts on the matter below

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3 comments

  • Roland C Rozario says:

    Winterburn is spot on!
    The wide guys just can’t serve good balls into Giroud’s path!
    There is obvious the lack of tenacity in delivery and winning the ball from majority of positions.
    AND When delivery comes from the wideman there is hardly ever you see three or four Arsenal mates in the six yard box attempting to score. Probably only one!

  • bozekie says:

    i agree with Nigel, Giroud does not get the right supply he is a big man, if Song could be there Giroud could have scored more than five goals,maybe Wilshere will solve the problem with accurate passes

  • Rob Fisher says:

    Nice analysis. The last two games, both wide backs appear to have been told to stay at home. Jenkinson in particular seems to have had the reigns put on him – he’s usually so much more adventurous and creative. It’s almost as if he’s been told to play the channels, don’t go beyond the half way mark – and it’s like putting a straight-jacket on him. Gotta let him loose.

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