Its not unfair. The guy is 26 and has ONE season in his career where he has scored over 20 goals. I have to admit I kind of like him , he works hard and seems like a good bloke. But TOP quality he is not. He's good in the air and hardworking but like Bendtner he lacks that 'sharpness' in and around the box that a TOP Centre Forward has. If you compare him to Gomez, Llorente and Huntelarr (all simular in physique/style) it's clear where Giroud is lacking.
I still think Giroud will be quality, but he should be our plan B and let's get on of the above, because Giroud would make a killer plan B against the tougher/more defensive opponents
I think the reality of Arsenal's position is that we are a "Have not" club. Right now, we are well behind Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City in terms of resources. Yes Arsenal could borrow money and generally run up a debt that would allow them to compete for 5 or 10 years, but then they would fall back again, and not have that option. Despite this, we have often competed with the top 3 (or the "Haves"), and have generally beaten the other "Have not" clubs, which has convinced our fans that there really is a "Top 4" when there isn't. It is a Top 3. It is never more apparent than when our fans and opposing fans talk about how we "Sold RVP" as if Arsenal had any choice. Or they talk about how Arsenal should hold to player after they are 30, because they might help. Again the Club simply can't afford passing on the 25M we get from selling an older player, while he still has a couple of years left at the top. Fans are impatient, I get that, but the expectation that we can compete with the "Haves" is what is at fault. Not the people who are competing with a fraction of the resources, that are available to their competition.
I agree with all of that except the RVP part. I think we should have kept him. He was our best player. I know the financial issue is a relevant one, he was nearly thirty and in the last year of his contract. But I just don't think it's acceptable to sell your best player to one of your rivals.
My complaint is that in past seasons i really think we could have challenged properly with a couple more purchases. im not talking Ambramovich money, just the kind of spending we've seen from Tottenham, Sunderland etc. Now however i think we're probably £100m away from winning the league
