There has hardly been anything to cheer for Arsenal fans who saw their team drop out of the Champions League, finishing 5th in the domestic league table. This will change Arsene Wenger’s plans for the summer as he will now not be able to lure the cream of Europe. However, the manager also has some work to do on the squad he already has and we might see him let go of a few players to try and upgrade on a number of positions in the squad.
One player who will now be afraid of his future at the club is Olivier Giroud. The French striker signed a contract extension with the club till 2019 just this January but he has failed to impress Wegner enough to warrant a regular place in the starting XI last season, with Danny Welbeck preferred over him on more than one occasion.
In a total of 40 appearances, Giroud has been productive, picking up 16 goals and seven assists but he has come off the bench 21 times this season and Wenger might be looking for a player who can have a slightly better impact as a substitute. It is hard to see the 30-year old be the first choice striker for Arsenal next season, so does he have a future at the Emirates?
Reports from the Sky Sports today claim that he is mulling over his future at the lack of game time at Arsenal. The player himself has revealed that he will sit with the manager to discuss his future this summer.
Arguably one of the best passers in his position in Europe, Giroud has been a decent servant for Arsenal, helping as a creative outlet in the final third, also acting as a target man when needed. He is versatile and can be a threat in the air or on the ground and his eye for goal is right up there with the best in Europe.
However, at 30, he no longer is a player who will run ragged in the final third, something Alexis Sanchez did to great effect at the start of the previous season, and Wenger wants to spend on a player who can add that quality to his squad.
Giroud is still an impact player and can help Arsenal next season but if he is looking for regular game time, Wenger may not be able to provide him with the same. He will have to be happy with a part time job but if the Arsenal manager decides to spend on another striker, his days at the Emirates will come to an end.
Do you think Giroud has any future at Arsenal?
