Giroud and the third goal

I think our third goal today illustrates how effective Giroud can be for us, if we manage to create plays like that one, basically a long ball, Giroud heads it down for an Arsenal player to run onto, and score it. The problem is that this sort of game play is not something Arsenal are known for, and it's something a lot midtable sides in the EPL do effectively, for example West Ham with Andy Carroll, but if Arsenal could utilise that game play, Giroud can become very effective for us in more ways than simply scoring goals.

I've wanted to create a thread for a while in fact, to talk about how unfortunately, Giroud's style of play might not be best suited to Arsenal in the EPL, and that he'd probably be more effective in another EPL team that uses the long ball tactic, rather than Arsenal's Shakespeare 1-2 fast paced passing football, but the third goal shows that if done properly, we can build our game to help Giroud, by feeding him those long balls to win, and for a second man to latch onto the ball and do the rest. Giroud's been excellent at winning balls in the air thus far, and so this can be a very effective tactic for Arsenal, a different style, a plan B.

Giroud is a big and powerful striker, so let's try to help the guy and play a game that suits his strengths, which in turn will suit the team as well.

 

Always good to have a plan B. One of the things we've been accused of over the last few years is not having another plan when our passing game doesn't work.

On those cold winter evenings up north playing on rugby pitches, Giroud's style of play will be invaluable

 

He's a great option to have. And it means Arsenal can start games in different ways. Who do you play? Two smaller, fast CB's anticipating Gervinho, Theo, type players at CF that will outpace a large guy and get in behind? Or do you play the big boys knowing Giroud will bully the smaller lads?

Finally!! Tactical variability

 

It is always good to have a plan B. But it is even better to have a plan A.

 

Need him to start against West Ham. His height is essential against them on set pieces and seeing as they play so deep, we will need Giroud to hold the play and bring in our attacking threats from midfield.

 

See comment above yours

 

I know we'd all like a plan B, but that's the problem with Arsenal, we have a very strict philosophy to our game, I don't really see us going down the plan B route that much, with the long ball.

 

I think we're pigeon-holing Giroud a bit here. He's more than a big physical striker. The weight he gets on his passes/assists is top class. Very classy player.