The Giroud Conundrum: Arsenal Should Look At These Three Realistic Strikers Before The Window Closes

Olivier Giroud’s injury came at a very crucial time for the Gunners where they are looking to kick start their campaign in full flow. The injury has left the team without a natural first time striker capable of consistently playing at the top level. No, Sanogo and Campbell can’t be termed as regular first team players especially for a club that is expected to fight for the title although being third favourites.

So with Wenger struggling with his forward line early on in the season, there are a few players whom the Frenchman can sign to replace the injured French star. These would be players who are likely to offer strong competition to Giroud when he returns to fitness while they can hold to their starting position on their own on top of some strong performances themselves. Here are three such strikers.

Danny Welbeck

The struggling Man Utd striker has been under performing in Manchester United because of unreal competition for the centre forward position. Man Utd is a very weakened team especially in the defence and central midfield, but in the forward areas they are very well stacked with captain Rooney, ex-Arsenal captain van Persie while perennial substitute Javier Hernandez is warming the bench.

Welbeck’s physicality and energy has often worked against him as he is forced to play wide which has restricted his growth as a finisher. He struggles to adapt as a winger and all he does at Old Trafford is run, without much end product. He has shown glimpses of his potential when he’s played at Centre Forward and Arsene Wenger would not mind the Englishman playing centrally as his team is very strong in the wings.

Welbeck could benefit from playing in his favoured position and scoring some goals to boost his confidence while Arsenal would have a player who is atleast used to the pace of the league and can play well till the time Giroud returns to fitness to compete for his position. Luring him to the Emirates won’t be much of an issue for Wenger as the Gunners are comfortably poised to reach the Champions League once again while they are already doing much better than Man Utd.

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Loic Remy

A very easy choice for Arsene Wenger. Loic Remy has proved himself in the Premier League and was Newcastle’s star last season with 14 goals. He would fit into Arsenal’s system rather easily as he’s an out and out striker with pace and good physicality and finishing. His French connection would also help him gel better with the manager and his style of football while the presence of better service to him from the midfield would enable him to score more goals.

Remy nearly joined Liverpool earlier this month but reportedly he failed a medical. Such news is detrimental to a player’s reputation and Wenger may have concerns about Remy’s long term fitness. But as of now, he appears to be fit and running with QPR’s rather struggling outfit. Wenger could have him just under 10 million, and the striker won’t mind playing a back up role until Giroud returns back.

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Wilfried Bony

The Swansea striker proved his mettle in the Premier League with 16 league goals and 25 overall last season. These are tallies that are strong enough for a striker to ply his trade for a Champions League playing club. Arsenal could do well with Bony in the centre forward position as he’s a striker who offers power and physicality in the middle with great finishing technique. He is a striker who may well displace Giroud from the starting line-up as he is an obvious upgrade on shooting.

Bony’s skills were there for all to see last year as he lifted Swansea’s state. His experience of playing with a team that plays the ball more through the ground would also help him play in Arsenal as the Gunners like to play a good passing game when in possession. He would also offer directness as and when needed as he’s a big fellow up front who can be a target for hoofed up deliveries (no more Mertesacker playing striker). Bony has apparently expressed his desire to play in a bigger club than Swansea and Arsenal do fit the bill easily. Swansea won’t stand in his path apparently and an offer around 15-20 million pounds, which the Gunners surely afford, could bring the Ivorian to the Emirates.