Arsenal star striker Olivier Giroud

Published: 19 February, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

ARSENE Wenger is convinced that star striker Olivier Giroud has become a better player since making the switch to north London to join Arsenal. 

Despite missing three months of the season through injury, Giroud took his tally to 10-goals and counting on Sunday after scoring both goals in the FA Cup fifth round victory over Middlesbrough at the Emirates Stadium. 

The French striker is expected to lead the line again on Saturday afternoon when the Gunners travel to Crystal Palace, with Wenger seeing the trip to Selhurst Park as the ideal fixture for his No12’s skill-set. 

“I believe that he is a different player today than the guy who arrived here for two reasons,” said the Arsenal manager. 

“One, he understands what top-level football demands, works with a great concentration in training, and he has improved tremendously on his mobility. 

“Two, his technical quality and, of course, his body is very strong. He uses it very well.” 

With the arrivals of Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck there was talk that Giroud’s position as Arsenal’s main striker was under threat. 

But Wenger insists if the France international is named in his starting line-up he will always play through the middle. 

“One of the reasons I bought Welbeck is that he can play central striker and wide,” Wenger added. “I believe he’s doing extremely well and is contributing to the team very well. 

“He can play central striker like he did for a long time for us, but the most natural centre forward we have is Giroud. 

“All the strikers we have can play in different positions. The only one who can only play centre forward is Giroud, so when Giroud plays the others have to move out wide.”