Arsene Wenger has announced that France Striker Olivier Giroud is making good progress in his rehabilitation after he broke his tibia against Everton in the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park back on the 22nd August. Giroud was an integral part of that impressive comeback early on and who knows that could have been a catalyst for the French International to put in some big performances.
“Olivier Giroud is recovering very well. I believe he is ahead of schedule in terms of rehabilitation. The operation went perfectly,” Wenger told the French television channel beIN Sports.
“Welbeck and him can play together in the centre or separately. Welbeck also played on one side to Manchester United. Welbeck played in the same team with Rooney and Van Persie. He can play down the sides.”
This is interesting, could this mean that Wenger is considering pairing the two strikers in a new system?, something that has not even been considered by many. There is a possibility of switching to a 4-4-2 “diamond” system similar to what England have operated with in the past couple of Internationals with Jack Wilshere operating deep this could allow Giroud to be used in his familiar target man role with Danny Welbeck in support.
The main problem last season for Olivier Giroud was that in his dry spells he had no runners from Midfield so he was left isolated and was ineffective as a result of this. There is no reason for Wenger to revert to type, the one thing you always get out of Danny Welbeck is work-rate, I have been impressed with the amount of ground he covers every single game for club and Country it would be unforgivable not to utilise that attribute. Jack Wilshere looked at home for England operating in front of the England back four and I do not see why he cannot play that role especially up to January. With the impending return of Theo Walcott to fitness he would slot back into his natural right wing position which would allow Sanchez to replace the injured Mesut Ozil and with the possibility of Santi Cazorla or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain the team would have a better balance than it has done in the last few weeks.
One thing that was noticeable was that Olivier Giroud’s link up play has improved since his arrival at The Emirates for someone so tall you would expect his hold up play to be as good as it is but his link play with midfielders is something that seems to go unnoticed. Yes his goal tally needs to be better and he does need to score goals against the big sides which he has struggled with since joining from Montpellier. Play Giroud in the right system and provide him with good service he more often than not can deliver.