🇫🇷 Olivier Giroud

[robsblubot 3,595]

9 hours ago, Superblue_1986 said:

Although he didn't see much of the ball I saw enough that he gave us a focal point when he came on and a genuine threat up front that helped push Watford back for the first time in the match. It also opened up Hazard to be able to drift around and come deep to get the ball which we needed him to do to march us down the pitch. 

It massively asks questions over Conte's decision to not start him.

agreed

immediately combined with Eden to create a clear cut chance, which he missed by very very little - it was a nice (difficult) finish. Looked promising...

Starting XI made no sense esp without Giroud.

[Special Juan 28,149]

Sturridge started immediately for WBA once he was bought and he's made of glass, Sanchez did for United too, Batshuayi did for Dortmund and so did loads of other fucking players, yet all we hear is 'physical condition'

We have one fucking striker, a big fucker and we don't play/start him

[Superblue 6,372]

40 minutes ago, Special Juan said:

Sturridge started immediately for WBA once he was bought and he's made of glass, Sanchez did for United too, Batshuayi did for Dortmund and so did loads of other fucking players, yet all we hear is 'physical condition'

We have one fucking striker, a big fucker and we don't play/start him

The same goes for Emerson. If he was fit for the bench why didn't he start because it left us with Zappacosta and Cahill on the left hand side, neither comfortable with their left foot and always wanting to cut back inside.

I would much rather start someone and if they are struggling, or aren't match fit to play the 90 minutes they can come off. It's surely a greater risk to bring them on as a sub only to see them break down and then have to use another sub?! 

[manpe 10,861]

On 06/02/2018 at 0:23 PM, Superblue_1986 said:

The same goes for Emerson. If he was fit for the bench why didn't he start because it left us with Zappacosta and Cahill on the left hand side, neither comfortable with their left foot and always wanting to cut back inside.

I would much rather start someone and if they are struggling, or aren't match fit to play the 90 minutes they can come off. It's surely a greater risk to bring them on as a sub only to see them break down and then have to use another sub?! 

Tbh Emerson I understand. He's been away for LONG, starting so soon might not have been the best for him or the team in general. Giroud on the other hand? I tend to agree, having a half-fit striker, who is just continuing from where he left off in the same league, is better than leaving our most dangerous player facing 5 players on his own.

[Jase 43,479]

Good home debut. Held up the ball well, linked up well with others - seemed to have struck an instant understanding with Hazard already. Should have scored that guilt-edge chance he had. All in all, promising stuff so far.

[The Skipper 20,609]

On 06/02/2018 at 10:23 AM, Superblue_1986 said:

The same goes for Emerson. If he was fit for the bench why didn't he start because it left us with Zappacosta and Cahill on the left hand side, neither comfortable with their left foot and always wanting to cut back inside.

I would much rather start someone and if they are struggling, or aren't match fit to play the 90 minutes they can come off. It's surely a greater risk to bring them on as a sub only to see them break down and then have to use another sub?! 

It’s Conte. His squad management is bad/weird. 

[The Skipper 20,609]

32 minutes ago, Jason said:

Good home debut. Held up the ball well, linked up well with others - seemed to have struck an instant understanding with Hazard already. Should have scored that guilt-edge chance he had. All in all, promising stuff so far.

Yeah, him and Eden will make beautiful music. Giroud was always part of the best team goals Arsenal scored - he’s somewhat of a creative presence up front. His style of play means he can play at this level for years to come tbh. Good player. 

[OneMoSalah 8,886]

Good start. More to come, at Arsenal he’d score in a game or two and go on a run so hopefully he can get some goals in the next few fixtures. Never doubted his willingness to be involved in the play or his desire but although he added a lot more of a killer instinct to his game the last 3 or 4 years at Arsenal in comparison to the inconsisten player he was when he just arrived, still guilty of missing some decent chances. Should have got one tonight. Maybe he’s waiting to get his first goal v Barca, fair enough if so 😂

[Henrique 9,133]

Looked way better than Morata. He will score a hat-trick against Barcelona, then score two at Camp Nou. 

[Special Juan 28,149]

Does nothing special at all for Hazard's first last night. All he does is let the ball hit is foot and get across his man, everything a target man should be doing.

He's going to give Morata and Conte something to really think about it. I'd start him over Morata right now, injury or no inury.

[Henrique 9,133]

3 minutes ago, Special Juan said:

Does nothing special at all for Hazard's first last night. All he does is let the ball hit is foot and get across his man, everything a target man should be doing.

He's going to give Morata and Conte something to really think about it. I'd start him over Morata right now, injury or no inury.

????
Morata does not fit Conte's system. Giroud is more a Diego Costa kind of player than Morata. When Morata is not scoring goals with his head he is pretty useless for the most part. Morata does not even do what a "target man should be doing". 
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2018/feb/12/olivier-giroud-well-groomed-half-speed-costa

[Special Juan 28,149]

Just now, Henrique said:

????
Morata does not fit Conte's system. Giroud is more a Diego Costa kind of player than Morata. When Morata is not scoring goals with his head he is pretty useless for the most part. Morata does not even do what a "target man should be doing". 
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2018/feb/12/olivier-giroud-well-groomed-half-speed-costa

It was meant in an ironic way and highlighting the fact Morata probably would of either gone to ground or tried to turn his man.

[Henrique 9,133]

5 minutes ago, Special Juan said:

It was meant in an ironic way and highlighting the fact Morata probably would of either gone to ground or tried to turn his man.

I did not read your post well, I thought you said you would start Morata over him.

[Special Juan 28,149]

Just now, Henrique said:

I did not read your post well, I thought you said you would start Morata over him.

Not a chance mate, right now.

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

If giroud would have scored that chance he would not be giroud.

Still a good home debut. As long as he keeps hazard scoring i am fine with him being wasteful.

[Pizy 18,959]

Really just need some matches and minutes to sharpen up. The physicality and workrate were there already.

Also goes to show you how a good center forward can immedietly strike up a great understanding with Hazard. Costa, Morata, and now Giroud have just about instantly linked up well with him.

[communicate 2,703]

3 hours ago, Special Juan said:

Does nothing special at all for Hazard's first last night. All he does is let the ball hit is foot and get across his man, everything a target man should be doing.

He's going to give Morata and Conte something to really think about it. I'd start him over Morata right now, injury or no inury.

He is what Conte want from his cf, hold up the ball and link up with the AMs. He is like the opposite of Michy. A fantastic link up player but horrible finisher. 

[Fulham Broadway 17,335]

Thought he had a very good start, could see he was a bit rusty, but did the basic things well and brought others in to play.

Useful to keep Morata on his toes as he knows there's a genuine alternative now.

[The Skipper 20,609]

3 hours ago, Pizy said:

Really just need some matches and minutes to sharpen up. The physicality and workrate were there already.

Also goes to show you how a good center forward can immedietly strike up a great understanding with Hazard. Costa, Morata, and now Giroud have just about instantly linked up well with him.

Eto'o too (even if he was OAP).

[OhForAGreavsie 6,078]

I'm going to dissent a little.

Olivier displayed the great technique we knew about from Arsenal, showed the lack of pace we knew about from Arsenal and gave a clue or two about why he's here not there. He indulged in our 'flicks & tricks' offence that looks great when it comes off, but is low percentage and just an excuse for the lack of genuinely effective attacking options. He also gave the ball away a lot. That is certainly something that can be cured by increasing familiarity with his new teammates but it is far, far too early to declare his debut a roaring success.

Edit: (After the 'like' by DYC) In short, I'm worried that we're at risk of falling into a honeymoon assessment of Olivier's first start. It would be wrong to deny the positives, but just as wrong to ignore the negatives.