First of all, Thierry Henry is an Arsenal legend and probably the greatest player to have ever worn the red and white of Arsenal. So when he says something, you listen.
He’s won everything the game has to offer (although not the Ballon d’Or which still irks me to this day because he should have won it at least twice) and his opinion is something which should be respected. It seems however that his remarks regarding Olivier Giroud have sparked some kind of debate amongst Arsenal fans.
His opinion was that like Chelsea, Arsenal need to invest in a new spine. That includes a world-class goalkeeper, midfielder and striker – and in Henry’s opinion, Olivier Giroud is not the man who can fire Arsenal to Premier League or Champions League glory.
But is that a fair conclusion?
Let’s look at the previous Premier League winners and the top goalscorers:
2014 – Manchester City – Luis Suarez (31 goals)
2013 – Manchester United – Robin van Persie (26)
2012 – Manchester City – Robin van Persie (30)
2011 – Manchester United – Carlos Tevez / Dimitar Berbatov (20)
2010 – Chelsea – Didier Drogba (29)
2009 – Manchester United – Nicklas Anelka (19)
2008 – Manchester United – Cristiano Ronaldo (31)
2007 – Manchester United – Didier Drogba (20)
2006 – Chelsea – Thierry Henry (27)
2005 – Chelsea – Thierry Henry (25)
So as you can see, from the last 10 seasons the champions that year had the top scorer a total of four times.
But interestingly, in every one of the last 10 seasons the top scorer has been playing for a team that has always ended up on the Top Four, and most of the time their team has finished at least second in the league.
So a world-class player who can score at least 20 goals a season is vital if you want to really compete for the Premier League title.
This season, with 4/5 games remaining, Olivier Giroud has scored 14 league goals. Chelsea’s top scorer, Diego Costa sits on 19 goals, although he has missed quite a few games through injury – and at the moment it’s Sergio Agüero who is top of the charts on 21 goals so far.
So is Olivier Giroud the man who can lead Arsenal to Premier League or even Champions League glory?
Sadly, the answer is no.
As you can see from the last 10 seasons, only on 3 occasions has the top scorer only scored around 20 goals. Most of the time the top scorer has scored at least 25 goals, scoring closer to 30 goals in a whole season. As it stands, unless Giroud scores a brace in all our remaining games he’s well off that total.
Now I’m not disputing his quality and what he brings to the team. Currently, he is our main striker who brings others into play – he does score goals and how we are playing at the moment suits his style. But there’s no doubt that if we had a world-class striker, we would probably be much closer to Chelsea right now.
It’s a point which has been raised time and time again, but would Giroud get into any other top sides? Would be get a place at Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City? The answer is probably not.
Monaco was probably the biggest indicator that we badly missed a world-class finisher. You cannot argue that if we had Aguero, Suarez, Diego Costa or Wayne Rooney then we’d be a better team.
We’ve spent mega money on Mesut Özil and Alexis Sanchez who are both world-class forwards, but we just need that special striker to finish off the team.
Like it or not, Arsene Wenger needs to spend big this summer on a world-class striker who can score from nothing – which we’ve missed, especially in tight games which we’ve failed to break down the opposition.
Giroud is an excellent forward, not perfect, but incredibly good.
He was out for a while this season so your explanation that he falls short of 20 goals is incorrect. Look at him now on his return. Monaco aside, anyone can have an off day.
Besides, his assists are just as valuable. Henry is wrong regardless of his status. The myriad of top scorers shows no one striker can be your 20 plus scorer every season.
I cannot agree more
I agree that Giroud is not world class….how many tight games has he bailed us out?…very few,if not nil.
how can u say giroud is not world class when he plays for france what we need is walcot fit he can score henry style goals
Wenger need to get a top class striker if indeed Arsenal is to win trophy. Ozil need to go to Jim and add strength. We need striker who can hold ball and dribble or take opponent head on. Not the type that cant dribble. How many times has Giroud dribbled since he joined Arsenal. Ramsey is also not the best for Arsenal, he should be a back up. Alex need to know how and when to release the ball. Maybe Alex doesnt trust the ability of Giroud otherwise, the ball he gave Ozil should have been to Griroud.
Wenger need to improve his team on killer passes. That is what Fabrigas brings to Arsenal that we dont have now except Rosicky that is close
Wenger need to get a top class striker if indeed Arsenal is to win trophy. Ozil need to go to Jim and add strength. We need striker who can hold ball and dribble or take opponent head on. Not the type that cant dribble. How many times has Giroud dribbled since he joined Arsenal. Ramsey is also not the best for Arsenal, he should be a back up. Alex need to know how and when to release the ball. Maybe Alex doesn’t trust the ability of Giroud otherwise, the ball he gave Ozil should have been to Griroud.
Wenger need to improve his team on killer passes. That is what Fabrigas brings to Arsenal that we don’t have now except Rosicky that is close
do not start knocking ramsey he is vital to the midfield and scores great goals and can get better
I agree ,
giroud has done exceptionally well this year, but play him against good defenders and he wont score, yes he scored past city,utd,and liverpool but all these teams have had issues with there defence.
It has girouds confidence wonders but he should be a impact sub or starting games against opposition who play dirty.
we do need a new striker – question is who? dyabla will end up at juve, higuain? i like him but will he come? cavani – too much of a price tag for a 27 year old, plus he doesnt seem as clinical since being in paris,
people may not agree with me here but these are my suggestions, benteke and lukaku , lukaku has already scored more goals than rooney had at his age in half the games less – would be a shame to see him depart to someone like wolfsburg
benteke – he is showing his old form again, he is devasting when fit, skilful, powerful, can finish
outside bets
draxler
doesnt seem to be playing as much for schalke – buckled under the pressure of captaincy. loss of form, not in starting 11 – maybe wenger would convert him to a striker
moratta – if juve purchase dyabla – maybe he will be surplus to requirements an i dont believe real will exercise there buy back option
martial – would prefer him than laczette – who incidentally monaco bought from lyon – reminds me of henry – tall , fast just needs to be converted into a striker –
Personally i would like to see akpom play more, i believe we a real talent once he starts to score and he wont cost us a fee and is through the youth system
Since when has Louis Suarez played for Man city need to get your facts right b4 making out your an expert on subject !!!
What the fuck are you on about you massive knob!
I agree with the HENRY, FORGET Arsenal to win the premier league with Giroud. Ozil IS TO MUCH baby player he must be sold as soon asp because he will not change his strengths day and out please give Mr Wenger this message……………………………
Update on new invincibles. Arsenal are a self-centred collection of misfits playing as individuals instead of a team, as witnessed at Chelsea, Sanchez being the main offender. Giroud is as good a player as any when things go right which they do not often do. Henry should keep his opinions to himself, he would play Walcott come what may. When Wengers in the market for players misfits become sought after stars as seen by present purchases. As the pundits have been talking a load of bollocks lately they decided you run with hares and hunt with the hounds. You cant go wrong, that way we dont upset anybody.
Of course, the legend Henry couldn’t have been wrong in his assessment or valuation of Olivier Giroud. After all he is a master of the game- he’s been there and done that. It is only people like Wenger who has refused to see things from a better angle may be because he is outdated. Otherwise tell me a serious minded and a trophy chasing coach who will a Giroud as his top striker. Can he (Wenger) compare the strike force of Arsenal now with what he had during his hey day.