Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Giroud moves to Emirates Stadium, and then?

Arsenal FC confirms move for Montpellier striker, Olivier Giroud, and become the second signing for Arsenal side, after German International Lukas Podolski, who recently got his 100th cap in Euro 2012. Olivier Giroud was the top scorer of Ligue 1 last season with 21 goals scored, and was picked by Laurent Blanc to Euro 2012. However, he wasn't the first eleven, being the deputy for Real Madrid ace, Karim Benzema, and appears only as a substitute in three match, and only being on the pitch for around 30 minutes. Giroud joins the Gunners in a move reportedly around 12 million euro, according to Sky Sports. Giroud is known as a powerful striker who has good aerial ability.

“I am delighted to be here at Arsenal and to be part of one of the great teams in English football. It's a huge satisfaction to join this great club and it’s been a dream since I was young to play in the Premier League.", said Giroud to arsenal.com. Olivier Giroud had been heavily linked with Arsenal since the end of the season, and Wenger is no secret admirer of him.

Olivier Giroud's fact
Full Name : Olivier Giroud
Date of Birth : 30 September 1986
Place of Birth : Chambery, France
Height : 1.92 m
International Caps (Goals) : 9 (1)
Oliver Giroud, after confirming his move to Arsenal FC
 (photos from arsenal.com)

Following this transfer, some consequences would occur in Arsenal, in transfer, and maybe in tactical approach.

Transfer Consequences
OUT
With two big-name strikers coming in, it is highly unlikely for fringe strikers in Emirates to stay, especially Nicklas Bendtner, whose agent has confirmed interest on the Danish striker from various clubs. Bendtner also has admitted that he is looking to play outside Emirates Stadium. Two fine goals in the match against Portugal in Euro 2012 should attract a lot of potential buyer. 
Nicklas Bendnter wants to leave Arsenal for regular first team 
(photos from telegraph.co.uk)

Being loanned once more, this time to Real Sociedad, Carlos Vela is also likely to leave Arsenal this season, and he already said that he would prefer to stay in Real Sociedad, after a fairly successful loan season, with 12 goals helping Sociedad finished in mid-table of La Liga. The Spanish team is said to prepare 6 million pounds for the transfer

Korean striker, Park Ju-Yong, who was only transferred last season, would likely to follow Bendtner's footstep to search other club in order to get minutes playing. The South Korean Captain has reportedly said the staff of Arsenal to search a club for him to play regularly.

Marouane Chamakh, a Moroccan international, also could go back to France, after poor display last season, only managed to score one goal in one season, and failed to impress every time trusted to step-up when van Persie is benched.

Joel Campbell also might be loanned out once more to get first team opportunities, but if he is willing to be back-up of Robin van Persie and Olivier Giroud, as well as Lukas Podolski, he may stays in Emirates Stadium.

Skipper Robin van Persie might also allowed to leave from Arsenal, if lucrative offer comes in. Wenger is known for selling his player nearing age of 30, like he did for Patrick Viera, and Thierry Henry. Robin van Persie has delayed the contract talk, from the mid of the season, to the end of the season, and after Euro, and until now, he is yet to renew his contract.

If Wenger sees Olivier Giroud as replacement for the Dutchman, and van Persie doesn't renew his contract, probably Arsene Wenger would let van Persie leave in around 25 million pounds transfer fee. The good thing is, Man City, already declared they wouldn't pay more than 15 million pounds for him. At least, it decreases the chance of seeing him in blue shirt next season. Barcelona also has withdrawn their interest. The more likely destination is Juventus, although Wenger has said RvP has no reason to play for the recently crowned team.

the captain Vantastic is yet to put a sign on contract, 
leaving possibility to leave Arsenal this summer
(photos from telegraph.co.uk)


IN
After securing two forwards this season, Wenger could focus to strengthen the midfield and the defence. 
Junior Hoillet from Blackburn would be a rather crazy move, remembering that Arsenal has a lot of Winger, but it's still possible if Wenger wants to offload Theo Walcott, whose contract only remaining one year.

Giroud's French teammate, Yann M'Vila could join Arsenal this summer. Yann M'Vila has expressed his interest in Arsenal move. Arsenal also has been linked heavily to the Rennes midfielder.

In the defence, Jan Vertonghen could make shock swap to the Gunners after failing to secure the deal to Tottenham, although Vertonghen has admitted he is ready to stay one more season in Ajax.


Tactical Approach
Wenger now should have enough firepower upfront, and there was suggestion for the Professor to revert back to 4-4-2 formation Arsenal deployed before Emmanuel Adebayor's departure to Man. City on 2009.

1. Stays with 4-2-3-1
The formation deployed for the last three years. Robin van Persie were the lone man upfront last season. However, with arrival of Olivier Giroud, as well as the possibility of Robin van Persie heading out from Emirates Stadium, the target man spot could be given to the Frenchman, as he offer more aerial threat than van Persie, and more like an orthodox striker, compared to van Persie, who often plays deep to take the ball from the midfield.

If Robin van Persie stays, Olivier Giroud might be benched, but in my opinion, he is far too good to be benched. Maybe Robin van Persie could be given a deeper role in attacking midfielder role, but Tomas Rosicky was stellar in that position last season. Another problem for the deeper role of Robin van Persie is the abundance of central midfielder in Arsenal. Wilshere, Rosicky, Arteta, Song, Coquelin, Frimpong, Diaby, Denilson, Ramsey; meaning 9 midfielders fighting for 2 spots. This could be a dillema for Arsene Wenger.

He is used to play in the target man
(photos from telegraph.co.uk)

But if Robin van Persie leaves, Giroud surely will seal one spot in Arsenal first eleven next season, partially because of the poor showings by two RvP's backup, Chamakh and Park Ju-Yong. Olivier Giroud also plays in the same formation last season with Montpellier, as the target man.

Some probabilities of Arsenal face next season with 4-2-3-1

i). Benched
Szczesny
Sagna - Koscielny - Vermaelen - Gibbs
Song - Arteta
Walcott / Chamberlain - Rosicky  - Podolski / Gervinho
van Persie

The midfield trio will remain the same, waiting for Wilshere to come back to his best performance. No changes on back four

ii). van Persie plays deeper role
Szczesny
Sagna - Koscielny - Vermaelen - Gibbs
Song - Arteta / Rosicky
Walcott / Chamberlain - van Persie - Podolski / Gervinho
Giroud

One from Arteta / Rosicky must be sacrificed for this formation, despite Rosicky's brilliant near-end-of-season performance and solid display by Arteta throughout the season.

iii). van Persie leaves Arsenal
Szczesny
Sagna - Koscielny - Vermaelen - Gibbs
Song - Arteta
Walcott / Chamberlain- Rosicky  - Podolski / Gervinho
Giroud


Again, no changes in midfield trio, but Giroud will fill van Persie's boot

2. back to 4-4-2 formation
Arsenal is no stranger to this formation, they were deploying this formation, from the beginning of Wenger's era, but changed to 4-2-3-1 (or 4-3-3) without target man in the beginning of 2009/2010 season, and since then, not looking back to this formation on most occasion, except for some cup games. Wenger played this formation during 0-1 Carling Cup loss against City this season, with Ju-Young and Chamakh started upfront.

The suggestion has been started since arrival of Lukas Podolski, who is also capable playing as a striker. Should van Persie stays, he might tandem the Captain, or Podolski. Another possibility is that Podolski pushed to the left midfielder, and Giroud starts upfront with van Persie. However, with this option, either Rosicky or Arteta would be benched.

However, if van Persie is sold to another club, Giroud is expected to accompany Lukas Podolski upfront, with the later names plays deeper, and Giroud plays as a target man.

i) van Persie stays
Szczesny
Sagna - Koscielny - Vermaelen - Gibbs
Walcott / Chamberlain - Song - Arteta / Rosicky - Podolski
van Persie - Giroud

van Persie would play deper than Giroud, and Podolski pushed to the left side. Similar to 4-2-3-1 formation, but with RvP plays in the deeper role.

ii) van Persie leaves

Szczesny
Sagna - Koscielny - Vermaelen - Gibbs
Walcott - Song - Arteta / Rosicky - Chamberlain
Podolski - Giroud


The two new signing would form a new duet of striker for Arsenal. 

Verdict
Bendtner, Vela, Ju-Young, Chamakh is out of the club. M'Vila would move to Arsenal, if Wenger sells some of his central midfielder. van Persie is still undecided, and might leave Arsenal. Wenger would probably use 4-2-3-1, with Giroud plays as a target man, and Podolski on the left wing.