1 Olivier Giroud

Arsenal Young Guns blogger Jamie Sanderson gives his verdict on the Gunners’ Gallic frontman…

Olivier Giroud arrived at Arsenal from French football with a big reputation, with Arsene Wenger hopeful he would hit the ground running and make fans forget about the recently departed Robin van Persie.

Fast forward almost two years and Giroud’s time with the Gunners has been mixed. After a disappointing first season, he has found form and confidence this term, but is yet to prove himself as a world class centre forward.

The signing of Giroud was frankly baffling.

Previously, when tall, strong, bulky number nines were popular in the Premier League, Wenger shunned it for pace, power and versatility in attack.

So it’s strange that with speed up front now so popular, he opted for an old fashioned hitman to lead the line – especially with a number of clever tiki-taka experts behind him.

It has its uses. Giroud’s size and muscle helps him create space for others, but in the big matches, he’s easy to defend against and it’s really cost Arsenal.

The conundrum with Giroud is not about his physique, though, it’s all in the mind. A player who was honed in the French lower leagues, he often cuts a figure that doesn’t believe he should be a top flight striker at one of the biggest clubs in Europe.

On top of that, while he’s a useful player, to get the best from him he needs to be first-choice. As a back-up striker, Giroud’s confidence is damaged easily and he doesn’t hit the ground running off the bench. It seems to be all or nothing with him.

So ahead of an important summer for Arsenal – where at least one world class striker must be signed – is it time to ditch Giroud? I think it is.

There’s no doubt that he loves Arsenal and is a good player, but he’s not a great player and the club needs great players to become a great side again. It’s time to look at alternatives and cut ties with Giroud while his value is still high.

It seems harsh, but in a week that’s been dogged by more allegations over his private life, it’s more of a hassle keeping him around that it would be to find a decent replacement.

With players out of contract, regardless of what happens in the title race this term, Arsenal have a chance to move on some players who simply have not lived up to their expectations, and a change is needed.

And as ruthless as it appears, that needs to start with moving on Giroud and signing a world class replacement.

Agree od disagree with Jamie’s view on Giroud? Comment below…