If reports are to be believed, Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud looks set to depart this summer amidst all the huge preparations Arsene Wenger has been up to. Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund has reportedly been keen on landing him of late as their star striker Pierre Aubameyang is likely to leave in the next few weeks.
The Gabon international has been a hot prospect this summer being on the radar of every top club including Serie A side AC Milan, his former club, Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjian and Premier League club Chelsea. While moving to the Far East might not be an option for now as they are reeling under renewed taxation systems concerning foreign players, Italy and England are among his likely destinations.
Arsenal’s French forward has been with the Gunners for five years now and has enjoyed a relatively successful career with the London giants. He has won three FA Cups with them in that period scoring 98 goals and registering 41 assists. While not the most prolific of strikers for sure, the Chambery-born forward has really been one of Arsenal’s best buys in recent history.
And while the arrival of Alexandre Lacazette from Ligue 1 side AS Lyon hasn’t been seen as a like for like replacement for the towering striker, Giroud surely sees that way. He was not content with Arsenal’s signing and it became clear as a daylight in their first pre-season friendly against Sydney FC last Wednesday.
His compatriot, who is much down the pecking order in national colours, was successful in tapping in a sublime strike from Alex Iwobi’s cross before the ball could come to Giroud waiting at a distance. And his unenthusiastic celebration to his teammate’s goal has been the source of fodder for the trolling industry since then and it’s understandable to a large extent.
During Arsenal’s third-kit launch, Giroud gave more than enough hints about his uncertainty at the club. He said, “It (leaving) is an option, to be honest with you… I’m here in pre-season, I wanted to travel. Some people asked me if I am going to travel or not and of course, I am Arsenal player and for the moment I am here so I just want to prepare well for the season and we will see later.”
Arsenal might already have the likes of Danny Welbeck, Theo Walcott, Lucas Perez and now Lacazette, who can really be effective from that number 9 role, but Giroud has been Arsenal’s best plan B since the past two seasons. And Wenger would definitely be unwilling to let him leave with such a crucial season ahead.
Dortmund has been a pioneer in producing some of the best centre-forwards lately with the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Aubameyang prime examples. And although Giroud isn’t the type of vibrant striker they are, his phenomenal link up play at the edge of the box could reap brilliant results with Ousmane Dembele on the flanks.
However, it should be considered that next World Cup in all likeliness could be Giroud’s last and he wouldn’t want to lose his place in the national team by going to a new league that would need time for adapting. We think the former Montpellier forward should consider staying this season.
