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| Olivier Giroud with his match ball in hand following Arsenal's 3-0 win over Olympiakos |
OLIVIER GIROUD has become Arsenal's most potent marksman in Champions League football.
Some might say that is reason enough finally to take him seriously. Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini insists that should have happened a long time ago.
Since his £12m arrival from Montpellier, the France international has struggled to capture the imagination of Arsenal fans who expected a more stellar name to lead the line at such a famous club, not least to fill the boots of Robin van Persie, who had been sold to rivals Manchester United.
However, quietly and surely Giroud has gone about the business of scoring goals - not spectacularly but steadily.
Now, after becoming only the seventh man to reach double figures for Arsenal in the Champions League proper with his hat-trick against Olympiakos on Wednesday, he has eclipsed Van Persie in the scoring charts. And, for that matter, Thierry Henry - or anybody else you care to mention.
It was only his 21st Champions League game in an Arsenal shirt. Daily Express research shows Henry took 22 games to get to 10 goals; Van Persie a sluggish 29. Nobody else has got there in fewer than 40.
What is more, Giroud's strikes have come in vital group deciders such as in Piraeus or against strong teams such German outfits including Bayern Munich or Italians - the matches where clubs need their leading men to stand up and be counted.
Which is why it was of little surprise to Flamini that Giroud was the man who single-handedly rescued Arsenal's attempt to make it to their 16th successive knockout phase.
"All great strikers have to respond in the big games and this was a good test for us and he responded well," Flamini said. "It was a great performance from him and he helped the team very much and is a top scorer.
"Olivier did a great job because every time he had an opportunity, he put it in.
"Even when he turned his ankle, he took the opportunity to recover when he went down. Then after a few seconds he scored a second goal which was incredible.
"I am pleased as it was a good test for us. It was a good test to see if we had the personality and character to have a positive result.
"But Olivier deserves the credit and I think he gets it. I have not seen it anywhere or from anyone that he is not a top goalscorer and he is proving it on the pitch so is doing very well. I am glad and happy for him."
That said, even Wenger seemed to have some doubts earlier this season, dropping Giroud from the side to give Theo Walcott a chance to operate in a more central position.
Flamini added: "Competition is very important in the big teams. Competition makes players stronger and that is what happened.
"It is tough competition up front and Olivier is responding very well because he is playing better and better. That is part of the game and if you want to play at a big club, you have that competition."
Some might say that is reason enough finally to take him seriously. Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini insists that should have happened a long time ago.
Since his £12m arrival from Montpellier, the France international has struggled to capture the imagination of Arsenal fans who expected a more stellar name to lead the line at such a famous club, not least to fill the boots of Robin van Persie, who had been sold to rivals Manchester United.
However, quietly and surely Giroud has gone about the business of scoring goals - not spectacularly but steadily.
Now, after becoming only the seventh man to reach double figures for Arsenal in the Champions League proper with his hat-trick against Olympiakos on Wednesday, he has eclipsed Van Persie in the scoring charts. And, for that matter, Thierry Henry - or anybody else you care to mention.
It was only his 21st Champions League game in an Arsenal shirt. Daily Express research shows Henry took 22 games to get to 10 goals; Van Persie a sluggish 29. Nobody else has got there in fewer than 40.
What is more, Giroud's strikes have come in vital group deciders such as in Piraeus or against strong teams such German outfits including Bayern Munich or Italians - the matches where clubs need their leading men to stand up and be counted.
Which is why it was of little surprise to Flamini that Giroud was the man who single-handedly rescued Arsenal's attempt to make it to their 16th successive knockout phase.
"All great strikers have to respond in the big games and this was a good test for us and he responded well," Flamini said. "It was a great performance from him and he helped the team very much and is a top scorer.
"Olivier did a great job because every time he had an opportunity, he put it in.
"Even when he turned his ankle, he took the opportunity to recover when he went down. Then after a few seconds he scored a second goal which was incredible.
"I am pleased as it was a good test for us. It was a good test to see if we had the personality and character to have a positive result.
"But Olivier deserves the credit and I think he gets it. I have not seen it anywhere or from anyone that he is not a top goalscorer and he is proving it on the pitch so is doing very well. I am glad and happy for him."
That said, even Wenger seemed to have some doubts earlier this season, dropping Giroud from the side to give Theo Walcott a chance to operate in a more central position.
Flamini added: "Competition is very important in the big teams. Competition makes players stronger and that is what happened.
"It is tough competition up front and Olivier is responding very well because he is playing better and better. That is part of the game and if you want to play at a big club, you have that competition."
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| Giroud has surpassed Thierry Henry and Robin Van Persie's goalscoring record in the Champions League |
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