Arsenal Leading Race For La Liga Striker - Player Report

This season Olivier Giroud has scored seven goals in 12 games in the Premier League, which is pretty good going. Only a few players have managed to score more, but whether or not he can do that for the entire season is yet to be seen. So, naturally, Arsenal have found themselves linked with numerous forwards, the latest of which is Romania international Ciprian Marica, who currently plies his trade for Getafe.

He has played in seven of the club's 14 La Liga games this season and scored once, but it's his link up play and his asking price that is reportedly causing interest from the Gunners. He is seen as a cheap alternative to the likes of Christian Benteke and Karim Benzema, according to the reports, and his statistics suggest that you get what you pay for.

He has won just 3/8 of his take ons, won only 10/31 of his headed duels and has a 65% pass success, which isn't great.

He has the best shot accuracy at his current club, though, with 75% and has made two key passes.

He is a strong player who loves making space for himself and pulling others into play, as well as spinning off the shoulder of defences.

Watch this clip. 

stats via Squawka