Giroud's poor distribution should encourage Arsenal to sign another striker

This summer Arsenal have failed in their attempts to sign Gonzalo Higuain from Real Madrid and Luis Suarez from Liverpool. They're currently rumored to be interested in another Real Madrid striker, Karim Benzema. As it stands, Lukas Podolski's hamstring injury means that Arsenal's only options at center forward are Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott and Yaya Sanogo. Injuries elsewhere in the squad mean Walcott's services are required on the right wing, his normal position. Sanogo is just 20 and was playing in the French second division last season. Early signs suggest he's far too raw to be much of a factor this season for Arsenal.

Arsenal's only real option up top at the moment then is Giroud. The French striker is having a solid start to the season. He's scored in both of Arsenal's first two league games and chipped in another in Champions League qualification. With Arsenal lacking depth in other areas of the pitch, some pundits and supporters have argued Arsene Wenger should focus on strengthening other areas of the pitch rather than signing another striker.

I believe Arsenal are most in need of an athletic, tough-tackling holding midfielder. However, to genuinely have a shot at contesting the league and Champions League a more well-rounded striker than Giroud will be required.

Although Giroud's finishing has steadily improved since a rocky start at Arsenal, he lacks quality distribution. Too often he gives the ball away. Last season he completed just 64% of his passes and had 3 assists. Arsenal's summer targets all offered better link up play last season. Suarez completed 76.6 % of his passes and had 5 assists, Higuain completed 74.8% of his passes and also had 5 assists. The distribution of current target Benzema offers a particularly striking comparison. Despite starting in five fewer games Giroud and making four fewer appearances, he had 11 assists. Benzema completed 79.2% of his passes and still scored as many goals as Giroud.

Arsenal are fluid throughout midfield with a number of players than can score goals. All three of their main attacking midfield players- Walcott, Cazorla and Podolski- managed double digit goals last season. If Arsenal managed to sign a striker that could contribute his share of goals but also add to the fluidity of the side with sharp passing, they'll be a better team.


Giroud's passing through two games has shown an improvement over last season. He has completed 72% of his passes. Still, 14 other Premier League players that have started games this season as either a loan striker or as part of a front two have a better pass completion percentage (Soldado- Tottenham, Van Wolfswinkel- Norwich, Van Persie- Manchester United, Dzeko- Manchester City, Aguero- Manchester City, sturridge- Liverpool, Berbatov- Fulham, Cisse- Newcastle, Michu- Swansea, Danny Graham- Hull, Sagbo- Hull, Jelavic- Everton, Chamakh- Crystal Palace, Anelka- West Brom). Benzema would bring at least as many goals in and provide the link up play and final ball to make Arsenal a more lethal team in the final third.

Thoughts and recap: France 1-1 Spain

This was a game of two halves with Spain controlling the first with patient buildup play and France dominating the second on the counter.

France defended very deep in the first half with a bank of five in midfield in front of the back four. Only Benzema stayed behind the ball. The deep defensive line allowed Spain's midfield to comfortably dictate the tempo of the game. Very little pressure was put on Xavi and Xabi Alonso in deeper areas. Fabregas, Cazorla and Iniesta all looked to get in space between France's midfield and back four and combined for some tidy interchanges in these areas. Spain caused France the most trouble when they were able to get in between the seams, turn and face the back four, and slide balls in behind the back four.

France should have taken a lesson from Portugal manager Paulo Bento's excellent tactical set up against Spain in the Euros. Bento played his midfielders higher up the pitch and pressed Xabi Alonso and Xavi when they got in possession around the midfield line. This broke up Spain's rhythm and halted service into their more advanced playmakers. The plan was to win possession back higher up the field and then quickly counter through Nani and Ronaldo on the wings. Although Ronaldo missed a decent chance and Portugal never got the goal they needed, the plan frustrated Spain into playing more long passes than they would have liked and the game ultimately ended 0-0.

By playing such a deep line, France gave Spain's deeper lying players the opportunity to pick their heads up and find a penetrating pass forward. Xavi and Xabi Alonso are brilliant passers more than capable of threading a decisive ball through tight areas. France were clearly looking to counter when they did win the ball back. However, with the defense sitting so deep and inviting pressure, when they did win back possession it was in and around their own 18. Spain were able to press immediately, denying France a decent outlet pass and forcing them to launch hopeful long balls for Benzema that Spain were comfortably able to win back. They needed to win the ball back higher up the field to spark quick counters.

 In the second half France finally started pressing the Spanish midfield higher up the pitch, unsettling the rhythm they had been able to establish in the first half. Deschamps replaced Menez and Gonalons with more combative midfielders Moussa Sissoko and Blaise Matuidi. Both were outstanding, continuously nicking possession from Spain in midfield and spring dangerous counter attacks, mainly through Valbuena, Ribery and Benzema. They looked excellent on the counter, creating several dangerous scoring opportunities only to be spoiled by some wasteful finishing. The breakthrough finally came in the last minute of stoppage time when Juanfran inexplicably gave the ball way in midfield, allowing one final France counter forward. Matuidi picked the ball off Juanfran and released Ribery down the left. He crossed in for second half substitute Olivier Giroud who made no mistake, heading in on the last play of the game. France were deservedly rewarded for their adventurous play in the second half.