Thursday, 6th February, 2014
Arsene Wenger has revealed that Arsenal never wanted to replace Olivier Giroud with another striker in January, ahead of his side’s Premier League meeting with Liverpool on Saturday.
The 27-year-old, who joined the Gunners from Montpellier in 2012, managed to score 17 goals in 47 appearances in all competitions in his first season in English top flight football.
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However, the French international has already scored 14 goals 32 matches in this present campaign, and there have been concerns his huge workload could be too great a burden, hence the Gunners being linked with bringing in another striker last month.
And Wenger insisted that he is not at all surprised with Giroud’s improved form this term.
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"We never wanted to replace Olivier Giroud and I'm not surprised he is doing well this season”, the manager said at a press conference.
With a tough game against Liverpool coming up at Anfield, Wenger transferred his thoughts to rival strike force Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, who have already racked up 37 Premier League goals between them this season.
The manager is aware of the threats possessed by the pair and hence wants his side to keep Liverpool’s dangerous striking duo quiet by controlling possession.
"We need to dominate the game in order to keep Suarez and Sturridge quiet. We must control possession.
"Liverpool are strong offensively with Sturridge, Suarez, [Philippe] Coutinho, [Raheem] Sterling and [Steven] Gerrard. Liverpool are in a better position than when we last played them. They have momentum."
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