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(Stats) Wayne Rooney vs Olivier Giroud: Who Stars So Far Between Them?

Two strikers who are the heart of the attack for their respective clubs, yet this season they have been at the heart of a lot of criticism as well. Wayne Rooney and Olivier Giroud haven’t set the goal scoring charts on fire, in fact Wayne Rooney is still searching for his first goal this season in all competitions for Manchester United. Olivier Giroud has had to bear the brunt of most Arsenal fans over the years, many consider him to be a little lazy and that he does not move about enough for the team.

We look at the two vilified strikers thanks to Squawka.com and find out just who has had a better start to the season and who gives more to the club. We would only be looking at average stats per game to compare the two Premier League strikers.

A United legend taking on a Gunner

Wayne Rooney has had to play as the lone striker but he does link up more with the other attackers than Olivier Giroud does, a problem that has been stated by most Arsenal fans. The English striker averages 12 forward passes per game while Giroud only averages 6.4 forward passes per game. Rooney also has a greater pass completion percentage compared to the French striker.

Rooney averages a pass completion of 83% per game while Olivier Giroud limps home with a pass completion of just 67%. Rooney also is a greater creator with the ball at his feet, the Manchester United forward has averaged 1.5 chances for his teammates this season but Giroud trails Rooney in this stat as well as he has only managed 0.8 chances for his teammates at Arsenal.

When it comes to goal scoring, Giroud is better than Rooney as he has opened his account this season and has two goals to his name in the Premier League. Rooney for all his goal breaking records in an England jersey can’t seem to get a break and still has to find the back of the net for Manchester United, something which will be hurting him at the moment.

Giroud is better than Rooney in front of goal and has a shot accuracy of 57% while Rooney only averages a shot accuracy of 47%. Neither player has the best stat with regards to shooting on goal when compared to other players though. However, Giroud is known for having incredible aerial ability and trumps Rooney in the aerial duels won stat, the French striker wins an average of 57% of aerial duels per game while Rooney only wins 31% of all aerial duels per game.

Rooney seems to be a better player at linking up with his teammates but Giroud is the player who is better in front of goal and if we are looking to find out who is the better striker at the moment, it has to be Giroud, purely for being better in the scoring aspect of the game than Rooney.