Arsenal: 8 Steps Arsene Wenger Has Taken To Revive The Gunners

5. Targeting Olivier

Earlier in the month, Arséne Wenger said and I quote: €œI never once considered replacing Olivier Giroud.€ When the summer transfer window slammed shut on September 2nd last year, despite the capture of Mesut –zil, every pundit and commentator who thought they were worth their stock seemed unanimous in their verdict that Arsenal would suffer from their commitment, or lack thereof, to purchase another top class striker to either replace or accompany Olivier Giroud. Names such as Karim Benzema and Demba Ba were thrown up into the air and yet Wenger remained steadfast in his belief that Giroud was enough. Everyone else did not. Not without good reason, for Giroud's introduction into the English Premier League was not a smooth one. Despite netting 11 times in 34 league appearances during his freshman Arsenal year, Giroud struggled with the pace of the Premier League and his movement lacked intent and synergy with the rest of the team. Often times found languishing in the box expecting a cross that would not be coming, Giroud has adapted his game to suit the tactical changes Wenger has implemented since the start of the current campaign. One of the most striking of these changes is the back-line's new found willingness to punt the ball long up the pitch towards the 6ft 4 Frenchman when under pressure. Seen repeatedly away from home against the likes of Manchester United, Aston Villa and Swansea this season, what, in the past would've been a risky, overzealous attempt to play the ball out from the back with short passes has become a simple but effective defensive play to circumstance that Wenger has shied away from for years. This is because of Giroud's towering effectiveness in bringing the airborne ball under control and his hold-up play, especially in partnership with the supremely-talented –zil has enabled far more stability amongst the Arsenal defence. Sometimes, you've just got to punt it long and it's that quality of retaining possession from such play that has been Giroud's biggest contribution to Arsenal's success this season. It's also something, I believe, the likes of Benzema, Demba Ba and Miroslav Klose would struggle with, which might explain why they're not sporting the red and white right now.