The logic being used for writing off Arsenal chances this year seems to be a bit sketchy at best. I've heard this one about us needing a striker before and I even read an article that said if we had got Demba Ba then we really would have been contenders. Really? Demba Ba significantly better than Giroud or Podolski? Honestly? Just because he had a good run at Newcastle where there was no one else who could score?
And Arsenal's defence is too weak? On what basis? At least we don't have one of the England defenders who are a shambles every international!
We are Arsenal though. A club that has become almost synonymous with TOP forwards. Thierry Henry, Iain Wright, Robin Van Persie, Dennis Berkamp etc..
We will have to see how Giroud does. He seems to be improving. I still think he could end up being a very effective player for us but he needs to improve his finishing.
Statistically he was actually quite poor last year when you break it down.
His conversion rate was only 12%. In other words 1 goal for every 8 goal scoring opportunities/shots.
Compare that to..
Robin Van Persie 18% Conversion Rate (26 goals from 141 shots)
Dimitar Berbatov 19% Conversion Rate (15 goals from 81 shots)
Lukas Podolski 20% Conversion Rate (11 goals from 54 shots)
Javier Hernández 23% Conversion Rate (10 goals from 44 shots)
or the Top players in Europe..
Edison Cavani 19% Conversion Rate (29 goals from 156 shots)
Gonzalo Higuian 30% Conversion Rate (16 goals from 56 shots)
Zlatan Ibrahimovich 19% Conversion Rate (30 goals from 157)
Robert Lewandowski 24.48% (24 goals from 98 shots)
Lionel Messi 29.9%
Karim Benzema 23.3%
C Ronaldo 21.8%
Saying all that though I think he could still do well for us with his workrate and ability to bring in the midfield. But he does need to greatly improve this side of his game if we are to challenge.