Arsenal legend Robert Pires has advised Olivier Giroud to talk with Arsene Wenger before making any decisions about his future.
The 31-year-old striker has seen himself replaced by fellow Frenchman and striker Alexandre Lacazette this season after Arsenal acquired the 26-year-old for a club-record £52 million. However, while Lacazette has started in nearly every single game so far, Olivier Giroud has seen himself used primarily in the Europa League and as a substitute in the Premier League
However, with the World Cup rounding up in Russia this has lead the French striker to make a decision about his future after France assistant coach Guy Stephane warned him. “It’s clear that he’s not playing enough and Didier has already had the chance to talk about it,” said Deschamps’s assistant Stephane. “He has to find a solution in the coming weeks.
It’s up to him to see. He’s been very good in the last couple of months, he’s featured a lot and scored important goals, so now he has to play a lot.”
With France having the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Anthony Martial and even Ousmane Dembele, all pushing for a place, it looks like Olivier Giroud’s place in Didier Deschamp’s squad may be in trouble. However, Arsenal Legend Robert Pires has asked the center-forward to speak to Arsene Wenger before making a decision.
In an interview with Goal, Pires went on to say “I saw a good reaction [from Arsenal] when Southampton scored and a good professional like Olivier Giroud making an impact.
The situation is not easy for him [Giroud] because he wants to play and go to the World Cup with France. As a player he’s not comfortable but this is football and Arsene Wenger has a selection dilemma on who to pick over Giroud and Lacazette right now.
Arsène Wenger insists Olivier Giroud will not be sold in January as he looks to give him more Premier League minutes after his late leveller at Southampton. (Independent) pic.twitter.com/D9TUjZXYXO
— FA Cup Winners (@tomgunner14) December 12, 2017
The 31-year-old has yet to start a game in the Premier League, but despite that has seven goals to his name, three of those coming from six starts in the Europa League. However, while the last few seasons have seen Olivier Giroud take a back-seat, first to Alexis Sanchez and now to Alexandre Lacazette, the Frenchman still sits in an elite Arsenal league with 100 plus goals for the club in just under 250 appearances.
Pires further added “The first thing I’d do [if I was Giroud] is to talk with Arsene Wenger because he’s the manager. Giroud is a great player and very important but before making a decision he needs to meet with Arsene and the chief executive Mr Gazidis. After the meeting he can take a decision but as I understand the situation for Olivier he’s not comfortable actually.”
Author’s take:
Olivier Giroud is a very important player for Arsenal because while he certainly doesn’t have the pace that Alexandre Lacazette has, the 31-year-old has his own set of abilities. With his physical and aerial prowess, Giroud is lethal in the air and thus is highly effective as a substitute for Arsenal, which has been proven over the last few seasons.
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