Arsène Wenger has praised Olivier Giroud for responding to being criticised and dropped by showing he is “among the best strikers in Europe.”
Giroud scored a hat-trick at Olympiakos on Wednesday night to complete Arsenal’s Champions League revival and give fresh lustre to his own reputation. “He is at one of the best clubs in Europe and scores goals,” said Wenger. “If you look at the number of goals he has scored you have to give him credit. And he is not only a goalscorer, he works a lot for the team. He is among the best strikers in Europe.”
Since moving to Arsenal from Montpellier in 2012 Giroud has struggled to convince Arsenal supporters that be belongs in the same class as some of his illustrious predecessors at the Emirates, one of whom, Thierry Henry, suggested in April that Giroud was not the man to spearhead a successful assault on the Premier League title. Even Wenger appeared to develop doubts earlier this season as he chose to start with Theo Walcott up front instead of Giroud between late August and October. However, the Frenchman’s display on Wednesday means that since regaining his place in the starting line-up he has struck 10 goals in 12 matches.
“This has been a typical Olivier Giroud year,” said Wenger. “That means that when it’s not working for him, he puts effort in. Recently he has come back with an improved game in his finishing and link play. Wednesday night was one of his best performances on all fronts.
“He has special qualities that are difficult to find. You want him to be efficient as well, but where he has improved a lot is in his link play and that is important in our team. He is a guy who always wants to improve and he has a positive and strong mentality and that is why he has come back so well.”
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