Oliver Giroud has scored three goals in his last two games for Arsenal to give manager Arsene Wenger something to think about when it comes to the Frenchman choosing his attacking options on the pitch over the next few weeks.
Giroud has struggled in recent seasons as Arsenal’s number one striker, but seems to be thriving in this campaign as a player who can come off the bench and make an impact on a game, just like he did in Arsenal’s 4-1 victory over Sunderland. At the Stadium of Light, the French international scored with his first touch to give the Gunners the lead at 2-1.
If Arsenal are to compete on all four fronts this season, Giroud and other fringe players in Wenger’s squad are going to be needed and counted upon at certain points of the campaign.
The priority, as it is always is with Wenger, will be the Premier League where Arsenal are joint-top of the table on 20 points alongside Manchester City and Liverpool.
The Gunners have won seven of their last eight Premier League fixtures which has helped them climb up the standings after a slow start. Arsenal were expecting a long and hard season following their side’s opening game defeat at home to Liverpool where they went down 4-3 at the Emirates Stadium. That poor performance has since been forgotten as the north London club are very much in the title hunt where they are as short as 11/2 in the bet365 football betting for the Premier League.
For now, Wenger as clearly got a settled starting XI that he trusts therefore there are unlikely to be many changes to that line-up unless injuries or suspensions force the Frenchman to mix it up. Alexis Sanchez scored two goals in the victory over Sunderland was awarded the man of the match for his performance.
Another player who is earning many plaudits this season is Mesut Ozil. The German is regarded as one of the best players in the Premier League and the former Real Madrid man has been very instrumental in Arsenal’s recent run. Ozil scored the winner for the Gunners against Ludogorets recently in the Champions League with a stunning goal to ensure his side went away from Bulgaria with the win.
Although Wenger now has a number of options in his squad, including Giroud, it is imperative he does not get any injuries to the star players in his starting XI. That has been one of the biggest reasons as to why the Gunners have fallen just short in recent years in their bid for the title.
Outside of the Premier League, Arsenal are through to the last 16 of the Champions League and a run in Europe will also be very important for Wenger. His side reached the final of the competition in 2016 but the Frenchman has never lifted the trophy in his 20-year stint at the club.
Although Arsenal may not have enough in their squad to match the giants of Spain in Barcelona and Real Madrid, they have already proven that they are good enough to go all the way this season in England in the Premier League.
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