Some BIG Arsenal issues! Giroud as false 9, Ox and Kallstrom First and foremost, the Giroud argument. From the narrow angle, he is a mistake of a footballer or to say the least a mistake for a striker. But then put into perspective what else he can do and you know why Arsene can sacrifice a super finisher like Lukas Podolski for him. In my view, Arsenal field a team with almost a false nine. That’s why you’ll notice Olivier is not always Arsenal’s furthest player forward when we attack. More often than not, Theo Walcott, Podolski or whoever happens to be the `number 8`(often Wilshere or Ramsey and more recently Oxlade-Chamberlain) happen to be further ahead of him in attack. If it happens once, it’s insignificant. Twice or thrice can be called a coincidence but five, ten times and that’s a pre-planned tactic which is what I consider it to be. Giroud is only a figurehead up front as a striker but he doesn’t really represent the person everyone on the pitch is looking to give the final pass to all the time. And that’s why you’ll notice he is more involved in the build up to goals rather than the final shot on goal. It makes me think the gaffer doesn’t really field him as a striker but rather the most forward midfielder so that rather than having a single pivot on the pitch (which would be Arteta), he has two and the other is mainly focused on attack. Giroud represents the object at which long balls can be targeted so he can bring ‘em down for the shorter midfielders to show their magic. He is also used by the midfield as a decoy to draw defenders out of position to create space for the other midfielders to terrorise the opposition. I know we all tend to think we’ve seen better than the manager but what you have to know is they are paid to see these particular things and Arsene has noticed Giroud’s poor finishing many more times every week than you have but he’s also noticed how much he tracks back, how many counter attacks he starts for the team and what he still has to offer with his link-up play. This comes quite late and it’s just because I was busy with other stuff, but the Ox was really impressive in the box to box role. But he always has been for the times I’ve seen him. After watching him against AC Milan, I began to share the same view as the gaffer that the Ox was destined to be a central midfielder. Many have expressed their concern about his pace being wasted in the middle but in my view, it’s actually a better asset in the middle and here’s why. Most central defenders and midfielders are not that fast so if he gets into a short burst of pace, chances are he’s gonna leave Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard chasing shadows as opposed to having to attempt to outrun Ryan Betrand or Rafael who can probably match him for pace. He could be our direct replacement to Rosicky who still has the same qualities. His pace in the middle is also very important on the break. Just like Rosicky escapes defenders with a short burst of pace and in a flash we have a deadly break on the horizon. Finally guys, what was the gaffer thinking with the Kallstrom deal? One month to do deals and the best he could get is an off-colour injured Swedish international that happens to be injured for just about the amount of time the people he’s covering for are injured. That is very annoying. But Arsenal will win at Anfield because of the team spirit of fighting for goals till the final minute. ALEXANDER OKIDI
Posted on: Thu, 06 Feb 2014 07:53:14 +0000
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