Arsenal manager gushes over French striker despite latter's lacklustre form
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is in no doubt that Olivier Giroud brings “another dimension” to his side’s attacking options.
Olivier Giroud
ADVERTISEMENT
The Gunners head to Fulham today looking to jump back up into third place in the English Premier League, with fellow Champions League contenders Chelsea and Tottenham not in action until tomorrow.u00a0But for some more clinical finishing from Giroud, Arsenal could have seen off Everton’s resolute challenge in what was a goalless encounter at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
Wenger, however, feels the France striker will only improve as he learns quickly from a first season in the English top flight after a £13million summer move from Montpellier, where his goals had speared them to a first Ligue 1 title.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
“Giroud gave a lot until now and for his first season he is doing extremely well because he has a fantastic attitude, he is a positive mind,” said Wenger, who reluctantly agreed to sell captain Robin van Persie to Manchester United during the summer which severely depleted Arsenal’s frontline.u00a0“He is a little bit less (like) the strikers we used to have until now, but he gives us another dimension with the physical challenges in the air.
“Olivier has good physical potential, has a good basic stamina and he can absorb the games. He can absorb the body to body (challenges) because he’s a strong guy. “He wants to do well, but is not the one who hides afterwards. He stands up for what he has done and I feel he deals quite well with that. Giroud has scored 17 goals in all competitions, 11 in the championship, for a first season that is quite good. You will see more from him next season,” he added.
Arsenal will be out to record what would be a ninth win in the last 12 league games at Fulham, who were beaten 3-0 by Chelsea in midweek.
Wenger expects his team to return the same concentration levels they have over the past six weeks which have seen them re-ignite their European ambitions after what looked a fatal blow when losing at Tottenham on March 3.
“We bounced back from a very, very difficult position but we still have a lot of work to do. We just want to keep that strong run going until the end of the campaign. After the Tottenham game, we had no room to drop points and that is where we are. We know for us it is what is needed to be successful.”
Live on TV: Fulham vs Arsenal, Star Sports & ESPN HD, 19:25
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
