A few thoughts

I just fancy getting on the Giroud train and have my two cents.

I've read some troubling stuff on this board the last few days. Firstly some people genuinely believe Wilshere has played in the DM position for Arsenal Granted on occassion when circumstances have dictated, Wilshere may have dropped into the deepest lying role in the middle of a game. But he has never started in the DM position for Arsenal. Ever. Before injury he played just in front of Song, a little behind Fabregas. Since he came back he's played in that same position in front of Arteta, or at number 10 as he is...our number 10, and occassionally on the wings.

Remember the controversy when Capello gave him his first caps for Enlgand and played him in the DM position, claiming that is where he'll settle for his country, and everyone fell off their horse because he'd never played there for Arsenal. That was because he'd never played there for Arsenal. This was before his stress fracture.

Anyway moving on, its like a civil war on this board with people who love Giroud and people who hate him. The haters tend to go over board and wish that he and his family die of simian flu, while the lovers are two busy looking at his dreamy eyes and 'interesting' hair cut to notice if ever scores again.

Giroud is a good player and in spite of certain extra curricular activities, a decent bloke with passion for the club. This does not mean that he is a great player or the guy who should lead the line for Arsenal. He is a second striker and the kind of guy who has proven he can finish a bit.

Being able to 'create space for other players', 'do great flicks for on coming players' and 'do some nice runs sometimes' isn't the makings of a great striker. 'When he has runners around him he's better'. Sorry but that doesn't make him a better player that just means he look's better when he plays with better players.

Beating players, scoring bucket loads of goals, in difficult situations, against the best teams make a great striker.

Arsenal is a team that needs a great striker. Its what we always have had.

Giroud has glaring weaknesses. Contrary to some public opinion his hold up play is not excellent, its okay, bordering on good. When he does things with his first touch its not too bad, but when the ball is at his feet and he has to get his head up and hold on to the ball for a few seconds, chances are he'll lose it. RVP was much better at holding the ball up.

He cannot beat a player. He has a few times in build up play but that isn't good enough. He has never beat a player and scored a goal. He hasn't scored a goal against a top 4 side in the Premier League. Yes he has scored against Tottenham and Liverpool, but not in seasons where they finished in the top four.

And sadly the most damaging weakness is I just don't think he has the belief and selfishness to be a top striker. He has this whole victim mentality about him. "Oooo oo oo he kicked me, referee, referee" (shaking his hand uncontrollably) "Oooo I took de ball down so well and den kicked it at ze goal but de goal keeper saved it, why does god hate me so much". Just get up, get on with it and have another go. The sky didn't make you miss the chance, the link between your brain and your foot did.

I like Giroud and wouldn't sell him for a second. He is better than Chamakh no matter what anyone says, and by some distance. He's an adequate second choice and I think in games where we go behind, him coming on as a second striker gives us genuine options. Certainly more than bringing on Sanogo! But that doesn't change the fact he isn't good enough to be the number one striker at Arsenal.

Here are the best things he's done for Arsenal.

Brighton 0-1 Arsenal (Giroud 16') https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWZAWbBz0Ug

His only goal outside the box

Arsenal 6-3 Newcastle (Giroud 87') https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSLhtCkFnJU Skip to 2.03

The closest he's come to beating a player and scoring

Arsenal 2-1 West Ham (Giroud 55') https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gal_Ac8Rn-g

A genuine beauty

Arsenal 1-1 Everton (Giroud hits bar 90') https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WqqE4qBkoM

Nearly the best and probably most important goal of his career

Also some notable goals were his second against Brighton, and a nice goal against Villa at Villa Park this season just past. Problem is for a team like Arsenal after 2 seasons, we need a player's highlight reel to be a bit better than that. We need someone to strke fear into the top defences. That is what makes them make mistakes.

Time to take our head out of the sand with these silly over the top opinions and see Giroud for what he is. A decent striker, but not a great one and he never will be.