Arsenal: Offload Giroud, Make Podolski First Choice Striker And Dump This Flop

With news coming in that Olivier Giroud could yet stay at Arsenal and finish his two-year contract at the Emirates, it got me thinking how Arsene Wenger should play his cards this summer. Here are a few things that I would do.

The first thing I would look to do is offload Giroud. This may be controversial as he has scored 39 goals in his 98 games for Arsenal, but I just don't think he is right for the way the Gunners set up. He is slow, struggles to keep the ball and needs a constant stream of support when looking to play the ball.

I would look to make Lukas Podolski the first choice striker with Yaya Sanogo as support, with Theo Walcott also coming back into the frame. Podolski is one of the most natural finishers in the Premier League and has an abundance of pace on and off the ball.

In 69 bit-part appearances for the north London side, the Germany international has scored 28 goals and create a shed load more.

I would also look to give Nicklas Bendtner the boot, as the 'not so great' Dane is out of contract.

Arsenal fans, do you agree?

Comments

[Kevin]

It's lucky you're not in charge

[BigL]

Sanogo? Sanogo... He is terrible. He's like a new born giraffe trying to run. He has no business in an Arsenal shirt
Agree with Giroud, I don't rate him either.

[sean]

both should go, shaqiri for poldi and giroud+cash for costa

[Ray]

This is why you aren't a manager, or better yet, a top journalist.

Offloading our best striker, who assists and scores a decent amount, and replacing him for Podolski who vanishes for 60 minutes before having a good 5 minutes. Even better though, saying Sanogo should be back up. A guy who hasnt scored one goal in a year.

Good thinking mate. Good thinking.

[kane]

You clearly have no idea what your talking about grioud has been great this season, it's not his fault he's been the only striker to lead the line look how many games he's had to play over most other strikers he is clearly going to be tired at the last part of the season.

[ÉRLICK BADÚ]

I always thought that way. Podolsky really can do this, he already use the number of this function: 9.

[Will]

This is why I hate the internet! Any idiot can become a journalist!

[wiley]

Giroud a flop...sure.... lets take away his goals and assists and see our position this season.

Sanogo? Sanogo... He is terrible. He's like a new born giraffe trying to run. He has no business in an Arsenal shirt
Agree with Giroud, I don't rate him either...Do you Even know how old Sonogo is? Perhaps you did not watch the hull game and see how he helped turn the game ?

I would also look to give Nicklas Bendtner the boot, as the 'not so great' Dane is out of contract. Are you sp*rs in disguise, you would have known his majesty was let go last week.

[Radge]

Dont think you know a good Cf when you see one. Giroud is not world class. Unlikely tobecome world class but as a back up or as a hold up CF option there are not many better. We need diversity but getting rid of Giroud would weaken this squad not strengthen it. To think otherwise is to ignore the number of goals he has scored since his arrival, very few other top teams would dismiss such a CF, they would only add to it.

[mick]

I am generally in favour of free speech but in the case of this author I would make an exception.

[Naz]

Boot out a player who's out of contract?

How you gonna do that?

[will]

Load of crap

[jordangooner]

What a load of rubbish! Giroud played on his own upfront all season scored 22 goals on the pitch, plus a couple off the pitch! He made lots of assists , if Walcott was fit Giroud would have even more assists. Considering the battering he takes, it is amazing how he stays fit. We need another centre forward, this will give Arsenal greater flexibility and a plan B.

[Laisaweird]

I ain't an Arsenal fan but I love Arsenal & always wish them well! Based on this, I very strongly agree with the writer! Sir Giroud has not really convinced me of what he is(whether a finisher or just a joker). So if Podolski can be given a chance at the front, better!

[george davis]

yes poadslki would step up i beleive and make a good striker if we get di maria to play where he plays now .get morato in as a main striker and remiand vela as back up .girould is more than just astriker and we should keep him ,but boy would he have to work for his supper to get to start .just as it should be ,

[ido]

sanogo not good for arsenal

[gooner4ever]

Go find another job and don't waste people's time. This is a load of rubbish.

[mintee]

You woudl have to be royally stupid to play Podolski as a lone striker; he cannot hold up the ball, and he cannot function on his won, which is what Giroud has to do 80% of the time. Since Arsenal play with one up front Podolski is simply ineffective at leading the line. He's also very ineffective with his back to goal. As Arsenal play with one up front its frankly a really stupid suggestion to play Pod as striker, unless is a very open counter attacking game. Thats why Wenger will play Sanogo over Pod as a lone striker, because he can play with his back to goal, and he can hold the ball up.

You really dont have a clue do you? You shouldnt be writing about football to be honest -these are basics. ANd its a bit harsh on Giroud too - he's not brilliant and needs to improve his conversion rate, but much of the fault lies with the Arsenal midfield, which without Ramsey and Theo has offered him no support whatsoever, and constantly dick around outside the box leaving him isolated.

[Nathan]

You are not sure of what you are saying,both Giroud and Sanogo should be nowhere near Arsenal unless they are passing-by.