There was a lot of talk about the Gunners bringing in a new forward and despite being linked to a number of them over the summer, Arsene Wenger opted to stick with what he had at his disposal. And what he’s got is Olivier Giroud and now Theo Walcott as his two centre-forwards.
However, Wenger has yet to tell us which out of the two is his first-choice striker for the season.
Giroud led the line for the Gunners last season for the majority of the campaign, notching up 18 goals in 34 total appearances – an average of just under a goal every other game.
But the French forward was dropped for Arsenal final Premier League game of the season last term – a 4-1 home victory over West Brom – in favour of Walcott, who netted a hat-trick. Giroud remained on the bench for the club’s 4-0 FA Cup final win over Aston Villa in May – again for Walcott who opened the scoring that day.
It had looked like the former Montpellier man had lost his place to Theo, but he managed to start the new season off as he did the last one, upfront on his own. He did this for the first three games of the new season, finding the back of the net on just the one occasion, but failed to start until the abysmal 2-1 loss to Dinamo Zagreb, where he played appallingly. Since then until now, he only started one game of the last four, this coming against the 2-0 win over Spurs in the Capital One Cup just over a fortnight ago.
Theo on the other hand has enjoyed a productive run in the side so far this season for the Gunners, starting five out of the eight Premier League games the club have played thus far as a striker – the role he has yearned to perform in, and boy has he. The England forward has netted four goals in 10 appearances in all competitions this season, two coming in his last three.
Although its early doors, Walcott has shown he is more than capable of playing upfront and leading the line. His intelligent runs behind the oppositions defence has particularly been impressive and so has his desire to hassle, which the Emirates faithful have appreciated as of late. Wenger seems to consider him as his first-choice striker, but the Frenchman has yet to admit or turn down this claim – all he has stated is that he will pick his striker accordingly.
With that being said, who out of Giroud and Walcott should be Arsenal’s first-choice striker?
Both do hold different traits, with Giroud possessing good hold-up play and aerial ability, while Theo has the pace, desire and intelligence.
Personally, although Giroud has led the line well for us in the past, I believe Theo deserves a solid run in the side and looks more threatening.
I prefare walcott to Giroud.theo is quicker and more creative than Giroud and he is more hungrier to score.
I preffered Theo Walcott to Giroud because he’s more creative,he can move faster nd also causing problem for the defence opponent
I so much prefer walcot to giroud. Theo has everything that is required of a striker. he has the pace and he looks more dangerous in attack than giroud.
Giroud is a good striker,but Walcott should always start our games unless he is injured or needs to be rested.but it doesn’t stop ? Arsenal from getting a quality striker
I would love to see Wenger playing both of them together, mixed GIROUD power with walcott pace. I believe that would cause much problems for the opposition.