Stats: Games played: 18 Games started: 11 Goals: Seven Assists: Five Best Performance: Fulham (H) Worst Perfromance: Montpellier (A) One thing that has surprised you about Giroud: His work when we are defending set pieces. I know he has the height but he is committed to defending when he needs to and provides extra protection when we are defending from set pieces. Needs to improve on: He is getting better at it, but his link play on the ground could be better. His ratings so far: 6/10
bizaarely enough last season all his goals bar one were scored by his feet...just the one header! He'll get there no doubt about it!
He may be the best attacking header of the ball in the premiership. He gives us a totally different look and allows us to play the long ball out of defence. He doesn't get an assist for Cazorla's goal against Spurs, but it all started because he won the ball in the air for Walcott. I would give him a higher rating because of what he adds to the team tactically. If we can get Walcott to be a little less rigid, about, I'm playing wing, no I'm playing centre and just go wherever, then we will be golden.
Seven goals is not bad going. There is every chance he could reach 20 which would be a very respectable total for the season in all competitions.
When he first started playing at Arsenal, it was clear that his workrate, first touch and ability to hold the ball up and bring others into play was good. What he was lacking was goals. I always thought they would come and now they are. I think he's quickly becoming a very important player for us 7/10
20 would be excellent. Settling into a new league and country and also having had the pressure of replacing RVP placed on him.
I'm a bit disappointed to hear that he set himself the target of 10-15 goals .(I can't imagine Henry or Ian Wright ever thinking like that) He needs a little more self belief. He's got a lot going for him. Although he lacks a bit of sharpness that the TOP target men have, he is still a very good player.
Some people like to under promise and over deliver...I guess he is one of those people. Some people like to aim for the stars to push them even more. I wouldn't read into it too much. Other people like to over promise and under deliver.....Bendtner
While Giroud is undoubtedly a better all round player, Lambert is a better header of the ball than Giroud. Plenty of other better attacking headers of the ball in the prem as well, although Giroud is probably the best all round player with good heading ability i'd give you that. But for me its between Carroll, Lambert and possibly Holt.
He has 7 goals already, there's no reason why he can't score 20+ plus goals if he continues to improve and keep up his current form, that's what defines a top quality striker, and then we can know we really have one. If you also look at his recent goals, it's because the team has been helping him, playing to his strengths, give the guy a good cross or a good ball when he's in the middle of the box and he will cause damage, as we've seen with his goals against Reading, Shalke, Fulham, and Spurs, all of these goals were because he was provided with a very good ball when he was right in the CF position, the same with his goal against West Ham. If anything, Giroud can be our Van Nistelroy, he doesn't have to score the most spectacular goals, he's just at the right position, waiting for the ball, and when he's given a good ball, he will do his work.
I've no idea but he's been injured most of the season. I think if you're looking for the best headers of the ball you've got to look outside the traditional cultured teams like yourself. Carroll's header against Sweden alone shows you his prowess with his head. And Lambert bangs a header in every other game.
Giroud bangs in headers despite playing in a tippy tappy team. To even try and claim Lambert is better in the air than Giroud is just madness.
Best Performance: Fulham (H) Worst Perfromance: Man Utd One thing that has surprised you about Giroud: His overall work rate is exceptional. The controlled, cushioned passes that gave him all those assists demonstrate excellent ball control. Needs to improve on: Running into the channels more. Popping up on the wing more when he is alone upfield. Breaking into the box to give Cazorla/Arteta/Wilshere more license to play through balls. His ratings so far: 7/10
Because Lambert is the focal point of your team, Giroud is an add on to our team. You play off Lambert (Hold up, layoffs etc.), we only really go to Giroud in the final third.
That's true but surely if anything that just shows how good a header of the ball he is? If he can both bang them in and knock it down, as the focal point. As opposed to Giroud who can do both those things but not as frequently (as he's not the focal point) and with far more talented players around him.
OK, good point. He is good in the air, i'll say that, but i still think Giroud is better. When Giroud puts his head on the ball, 90% of the time it seem goalbound. Lambert is no slouch, but he seems a little more wayward. Good comparison though, 2 strong physical players, their 1st season in this league, be interesting to see the stats at seasons end.
