Wednesday, 6th February, 2013
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has blasted back at his critics by pointing out that he has already scored more goals in his debut season for the Gunners than Robin van Persie managed in his maiden campaign.
Giroud top scored in Ligue 1 last season with Montpellier, helping Rene Girard’s men to the title by finding the back of the net 21 times. And that persuaded Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to bring the Frenchman to the Emirates Stadium in the summer.
The France international has come in for some criticism, due to a number of missed chances and the feeling he should have more goals to his name.
So far this season the 26-year-old has bulged the back of the net nine times in 24 Premier League matches.
And he is satisfied with his impact, pointing out that Van Persie scored less in his first season at the club; the Dutchman grabbed five goals in 26 league matches, although he only started 12 of those.
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"In my first season I already have better figures than when Van Persie first came to Arsenal. Though he was a bit younger than me", Giroud told French sports daily L’Equipe.
Giroud also feels that despite Arsenal being linked with new strikers in last month’s transfer window, he feels confidence from Wenger that the Gunners did not bring in another hitman.
"The British press wrote a lot, but the coach does not like the winter market", he said.
"It would be hypocritical to say that I have not thought about it [new strikers arriving, ed.], but I know that the coach is giving me time."
Giroud will hope to power Arsenal into the top four this season, something which would almost certainly repay the fee the Gunners paid to buy him from Montpellier.
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