I believe that Giroud is a victim of circumstance in terms of goals scored. There's been a definitive pattern to his scoring form since joining Arsenal.
Season starts, Giroud finds form relatively quickly. Scores/provides goals at a title winning rate (has a few prolific scoring rate games, goes quiet on the personal goals for a few games but maintains assists). This has him at 15+ goals with 5-10 assists by Jan. Then he begins to tire. Simple fatigue wrecks his form. This is the point where Wenger should rest him. But he never has. Every year, he's just continued to play a fatigued Giroud for 10+ games. Until he's banned due to cards, injured or an easy cup tie comes around, Wenger doesn't give him a break.
Any doubt I had about Giroud's actual quality, was totally dismissed last season when he came back from injury in Jan and finished the season with near enough the same number of goals he'd got in whole seasons before. Then again at the start of this season when he was coming on in the second half and scoring for fun. Ever noticed how when he's fresh, his critics have to shut up because they can't argue with his scoring rate at the time? The goals just seem to keep going in. So what happens, why do they stop? The answer lies in two words "Work Rate"
With us playing at our best, the pace of play simply means Giroud has to burn the candle at both ends, physically, to keep up. Barr Merte, everyone is at the higher end of the pace scale and in a high/full strength side as many as 4 are blistering pace. There's only so long he can maintain his form with the rate he is forced to work at (Ramsey's the one we see all over the pitch but Giroud isactually working harder to cover less ground and keep up). This inevitably tires him out and his form dips. Follow "Arsenal season goes to sheet."
Wenger remains blind, his hand is eventually forced after 10 poor results. Giroud gets a rest, comes back scores a handful more and the team hits form again, just in time to stop the season becoming a total write-off. It's become an awfully predictable pattern. So much so, that I have no doubt that the past few seasons could have been very different for us and Giroud had he simply played 10 less games every year. It may seem ridiculous to suggest that he could get 10 more goals with 10 less games. But all you need to do is take into account what must be an astonishing work rate for a striker that slow to be effective in a team that bloody quick (pace ALL over the pitch remember).
Shearer wants to know why Giroud doesn't get 25+ goals from 40-50 games??
That's easy. It's BECAUSE HE'S FECKIN KNACKERED AND RUNNING ON FUMES FOR 15 OF SAID GAMES!!
For Olivier Giroud at Arsenal. Less games played = more games played in top form. More games played in top form results in more goals. Most likely a minimum of 1 goal more per game he doesn't play. There's your 25-30 goal season for OG. How Wenger does not see this, I don't know because the pattern is as clear as day if you just look at Giroud's time at the club.
Giroud: Less Is More
posted on 29/3/16
comment by Tu Meke Santi (U3732)
posted 12 hours, 21 minutes ago
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 13 minutes ago
comment by Tu Meke Santi (U3732)
posted 14 minutes ago
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 44 minutes ago
comment by Tu Meke Santi (U3732)
posted 31 minutes ago
WB2 just out of interest, are you a female? The way you debate is just dead on for a woman
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thought you are better than this? I got this wrong.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
#aha
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Some turn out of being suprisingly dissappointing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I identify your earlier comment as tongue in cheek. Look how sensitive am I
----------------------------------------------------------------------
And you're wrong as per usual
posted on 29/3/16
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 39 minutes ago
comment by Tu Meke Santi (U3732)
posted 12 hours, 21 minutes ago
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 13 minutes ago
comment by Tu Meke Santi (U3732)
posted 14 minutes ago
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 44 minutes ago
comment by Tu Meke Santi (U3732)
posted 31 minutes ago
WB2 just out of interest, are you a female? The way you debate is just dead on for a woman
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thought you are better than this? I got this wrong.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
#aha
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Some turn out of being suprisingly dissappointing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I identify your earlier comment as tongue in cheek. Look how sensitive am I
----------------------------------------------------------------------
And you're wrong as per usual
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Out of context...move along.
posted on 29/3/16
That's really funny and inventive
posted on 29/3/16
You two crack me up
posted on 29/3/16
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 6 hours, 56 minutes ago
That's really funny and inventive
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I eat a clown for breakfast
posted on 30/3/16
Careful Tu Meke, your missus'll be giving you a right slap if she catches you calling her a clown
posted on 30/3/16
comment by Tu Meke Santi (U3732)
posted 19 hours, 28 minutes ago
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 6 hours, 56 minutes ago
That's really funny and inventive
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I eat a clown for breakfast
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That would explain it
posted on 30/3/16
Watch the Giroud how he plays outside the 18, and check the balance of the team. Its not his role to balance the team but alot of work needs to be done to have team balance. Giroud can defend corners and can score goals once in while.
posted on 30/3/16
Giroud and Ozil is a bad combo. Giroud needs his wingers AND CAM doing his running. Ozil hates running The issue is the compounded by Alexis "Always gonna cut back inside/sit deep and dribble through," Sanchez. Throw in an out of form Walcott and you've got the disaster we've seen for months.
I feel for the players really. They're suffering from poor decisions and lack of spine from Wenger. He clearly either lets the players do as they please on the pitch or doesn't have enough authority over them to TELL Sanchez, you ARE going to be running in behind and Ozil you ARE going to bloody well run like the others, when you have to play with Giroud.
It really wouldn't take much to make the three considerably more functional. But Wenger needs some nouse, some balls or both to handle his players. Personally I think the players should have figured something out for themselves by now. I mean if you're Alexis, with the number of times you've cut inside and Giroud's been in the way because he's too slow to get out of it. Then WHY THE FECK would you keep on doing it? FFS RUN WIDE!!
posted on 31/3/16
"Giroud and Ozil is a bad combo. Giroud needs his wingers AND CAM doing his running. Ozil hates running..."
Not Long ago they were the most lethal weapon in the PL ahead of Vardy/Mahrez combo.