After Olivier Giroud’s superb scorpion kick against Crystal Palace on Sunday, Arsene Wenger took some time out to reflect on how the forward has improved his game since he has joined Arsenal.
The Gunners boss told Arsenal.com that the French international has come on leaps and bounds with his ability to link up play since joining from Montpellier in 2012.
‘I think he has improved his link up play since he has arrived and in front of goal as well. He is a top striker, who is a top-quality man as well, so I am very pleased that he can compete for us.’
Wenger was also quick to praise Giroud’s resilience after being benched in favour of Alexis Sanchez in recent months:
‘When it didn’t go well for him, he worked and that is something that I rate. Our job is to be ready for a chance, and he worked hard when he didn’t play and now he gets rewarded, and that is right.’
The French striker has the best goals to game ratio of any player so far this season with five Premier League goals in twelve league appearances this campaign.
The goals have also come at crucial times as well. Coming on to score twice in the 4-1 win over Sunderland, scoring a late equaliser against Manchester United, and another late goal for the winner against West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day.
