Giroud set to start against former club
Olivier Giroud will be handed a place in Arsenal’s starting eleven for tonight’s Champions League clash against the Frenchman’s former employers Montpellier.
Giroud, 25, hasn’t scored for the Gunners’ yet and started last weekend’s match against Southampton on the bench, with manager Arsene Wenger preferring Gervinho in his attack.
However, it’s expected that Wenger will deploy Giroud upfront against his old club where familiar surroundings at Stade de la Mosson may help him net his first goal in an Arsenal shirt.
Youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is likely to be demoted to the substitutes bench, while Abou Diaby replaces Francis Coquelin in midfield following his return from injury.
Arsenal XI expected to face Montpellier: Mannone (GK), Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen (c), Gibbs, Diaby, Arteta, Cazorla, Gervinho, Podolski, Giroud.
Giroud is the new Chamakh can play in France but not suitable for playing in the premiership
Bakri, what utter nonsense did you just spit out. So you already judged him after 4 games. It took Henry 8 to 10 games to score, same as Bergkam, Pires. Giroud is playingwell enough, you know absolutely nothing about football.
bakri do wash ball with ur eyes closed?
Remember, Chamakh did well while Van Persie was injured, although he never regained his original form. Even so, who said that Giroud would score in his first 3 games (he’s often been a substitute, mind you)? The expectation shouldn’t be for him to replace Van Persie and score 30+ goals this season. To be frank, barring Messi and Ronaldo, there isn’t another striker in the world right now who can match Van Persie, based on his form over the last 12-18 months. I will be happy if Giroud contributes with 8-10 league goals this season, and maybe another 5 in other competitions, 7 if we make a cup final.
Giroud 8
Podolski 15
Gervinho 13
Oxlade-Chamberlain 8
Walcott 7
Cazorla 7
Arteta 5
Vermaelen 5
Koscielny 3
Ramsey 2
The goal total above is 73, one less than last season. These seem like reasonable predictions, give or take a few goals from Santos, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Sagna, Diaby, Rosicky, etc.
Also, last season we conceced 49, a number which we can improve tremendously. I realistically see us conceding 40 or less. Take that alongside, say, 75 goals for, and barring freak results, be could realistically see an 80-85 point season.