One French striker in, one French striker out. With the club-record signing of Alexandre Lacazette, the future of Olivier Giroud at Arsenal was assumed to have been all but sealed. Arsene Wenger had already started the transition from one to the other, benching Giroud for much of the second half of the season, but the arrival of Lacazette was a symbolic blow to his prospects.
Indeed, Lacazette is a significant upgrade on Giroud. Wenger has finally secured the number nine his side have needed ever since Robin Van Persie left for Manchester United five years ago. A critical deficiency has been addressed and now Arsenal can build around the former Lyon striker. He gives them an attacking platform.
But what now for Giroud? There was chatter that he might have been used as a makeweight of sorts in the deal that secured Lacazette, with Lyon thought to be interested in the 30-year-old. That never materialised, and with the new season approaching Giroud remains an Arsenal player.
So could he still have a place at the Emirates Stadium? Against all odds, could a player so maligned he has become the embodiment of Arsenal’s recent ills as a football club stay beyond the end of the transfer window? It’s not beyond the realms of possibility.
While Lacazette is undoubtedly an upgrade on Giroud, that doesn’t necessarily mean one must take the place of the other. Of course, there is little scope for the duo to start as a front two in Wenger’s 4-2-3-1 formation, but Giroud could still provide a different dimension to the Gunners’ attack.
It’s not just quality that has been an issue for Arsenal in the final third over the last few years, but depth too. This was illustrated by the use of Alex Iwobi on the left side of Wenger’s front four last season. Iwobi is a competent player, impressing at times, but is he really of the quality needed to compete at the very top of the Premier League?
By allowing Giroud to leave in light of Lacazette’s signing, Arsenal’s attacking options would remain just as shallow. Wenger has long be a staunch defender of Giroud, highlighting his qualities while playing down his weaknesses. He, of all people, surely sees the value in keeping the 30-year-old.
“It has been a frustrating season for him because he has not played a lot,” Wenger said towards the end of last season, reflecting on his decision to drop Giroud at crucial points of the campaign. “And when he has played well, he has not always played the next match,’ He has won us a lot of points when he has come on because he has scored lots of times. He has qualities that our team need.”
Of course, being a second string option might not suit Giroud. The centre forward will turn 31 in September, and so he likely wants to eke every last season for first team action left in his body. “It is true that I am seeking more playing time with my club and that I need to play matches consistently in order to feel good,” he admitted last season. If it’s left up to the player, Giroud would surely leave this summer.
Giroud won’t find first team action at a bigger club than Arsenal, though. If he wants to stay in the spotlight for as long as possible, the Emirates Stadium is the place to do that. A striker so badly maligned could be forgiven for seeking a fresh start, but there should be a place for him to remain at Arsenal. Whether there will be or not is another matter.
