paxtonpale wrote:Doesn't Wilshere play at DM?

Wilshere is a CM, versatile kid, Probably best at AM though.

How can you not like a player that practices overhead kicks in training!

PHILIPPE AUCLAIR - arsenal.com

"First of all I think it is a real coup for Arsenal. Considering what Giroud has to offer, I think it is a very good deal. You are getting a player who has only had a couple of seasons at the highest level, but in that very short space of time has ensured that everybody knew he was a serious striker and someone to be reckoned with. In terms of value for money, I don't think there is much better in Europe at the moment.

"He is around 6ft 3in tall, so you would be talking in principle about a typical target man who you can hook the ball to and hope he holds it up. But he is not just that, though. He has huge physical presence, but one of the main characteristics of his game is his intelligence and willingness to find his team-mates in the danger zone. He is very alert to the runs made by his wingers, and is known for his link-up play as much as his finishing. He is terrific with his back to goal, at receiving the ball sometimes from awkward angles and, crucially for Arsenal when you think of their style of play, he has the technique and intelligence to play first touch. He doesn't offer just a physical presence, an aerial presence and a danger in front of goal, but he is also incredibly quick-thinking and quick-footed. Many people in France regret the fact he wasn't used as much as he could have been at Euro 2012 by Laurent Blanc.

"Blanc had a system and a plan that involved using Karim Benzema as the uppermost striker in his formation, and he didn't want to consider a typical 4-4-2. Every time it was put to him that he could play Giroud as a typical No 9 and Benzema as a withdrawn forward or an advanced No 10, he didn't think it was possible. Maybe he lacked a bit of courage, but a lot of people in France wanted him to do this. Prior to the Euros, Giroud showed that he could bring an awful lot to the France team. I have heard him being compared to other French strikers, or forwards coming from Ligue 1, but he is totally different. Technically he is far superior.

"He started his professional career quite late. This means that you have a player who is still very young, but who would, in normal terms, be considered to be entering his mature years. In fact he is only just starting out: he is 25 years old, but has hardly played at all at the top level, so you have a very fresh player there. He is also a player who has another eight or nine years ahead of him in terms of top-level football.

"He should be a 15 to 25 goals a season striker in the Premier League. You are always going to play him in a central position in this Arsenal team, I don't imagine he would be shifted to the flanks. I can imagine a 4-4-1-1 with Robin van Persie playing in a Bergkamp role; I can imagine a new version of a 4-4-2; and I can imagine Robin playing on the right as an inverted winger too. All sorts of combinations, but I don't think Robin van Persie's presence will harm his chances of featuring in the first XI. I still think it is possible to have Lukas Podolski, Giroud and Van Persie in the same team, and that is a terrific prospect.

"There is no doubt whatsoever that he will adapt to English football, he has the right physique and the right mentality. He is very confident and I do like players who come to top-level football late in their careers, a la Didier Drogba. You are talking about a player who only discovered the top level of French football in 2010 and he is very fresh and hungry, and this will play a part in his adaption. In terms of the language, there will be no problem. He is a very bright young man, he communicates well and has a very good temperament. He was part of a Montpellier team which had a remarkable team spirit, and he never thought of himself as the top guy there, he is quite humble. He really is a terrific acquisition."

Arsenal Report ‏@arsenalreport

At 6'3 (192cm), Giroud is Arsenal's 16th tallest player ever to play for Wenger.

I am really excited about this signing and i really hope it isnt RVP's replacement. I've seen alot of his videos lately and he is not only good at scoring goals but can create chances too. He is the striker we need, good at air and he is strong too.

Wow, a good signing by Wenger.

BTW, will you lot be selling Bendtner then?

We've been trying to sell Bendtner since last summer. The only thing that's preventing him from leaving permanently is his wages.

Thanks for the info.

I knew it..boss knew it....LOL..>dig up my posts guys !(kidding)... btw seems 2b the best sign(FR.ST) of this Mill. !

Read that he snubbed Chelsea for Arsenal..
I am proud to hear that.. Refusing the Champions League winners.. When he could have got more wages.. And now hopefully he have to compete with RVP than with Torres.. Lol.. And arguably even more supply playing with Mata and Hazard..
So thats not straight decision..
But when comparing Di Matteo and Wenger..

Giroud : « Henry is such an example »


Hi Gooners

Here is the full quotes of Olivier Giroud’s interview in today’s french mag France Football

*Journalist asks about Koscielny, who came from Tours, before turning to Lorient (L1) then Arsenal

« (Laughing) Yes, it seems it’s easier to become a Gunner when you come from Tours. We talked a lot about our time in Tours with Lolo (Koscielny), when we used to play there together.

To be fair, I don’t know if Laurent asked Mr Wenger to bring me to Colney, but he surely convinced me to come ! He told me it was the good choice for me, that i will improve a lot. We used to be great friend and partner on the field in Tours. To be teamates again, four years later, in French team and Arsenal is such a great moment.

Our careers are really a proof that you must never give up, even if you ‘re 17 years’s old and on’t play for the first team. To be a professionnal player is very harsh. You need to have mental strengh to believe in your qualities, and it’s the same in life. I’ve never live real darkest hours in my career, but i must have been mentally strong to still believe in my chance »

*Journalist asks about one of his tatoo, which came from the Bible » The Lord is my shepherd and I never be in trouble »

« Yes, I deeply think I have a bright fate. It may be difficult for people who don’t believe, but I was always convince something special will happend to me, especially when i was in Grenoble, struggling to play.

When I was a kid, I dreamed to play in Premier League. And my heart was beating for Arsenal, because of Thierry Henry. He was such an example. And so was Vieira, Pirès… a real « french touch ». I don’t say that to be kind for the fans, I always loved the philosophy and spirit of this team. French player were successfull there, and life in London is so great. The training facilities, the stadium… everything is huge and amazing. Those things count. When last season was ending, I told to my agents that I wanted to go to Arsenal ».

*Journalist asks about the Chelsea’s bid, and why he stay in his state of mind about Arsenal

« I was close to go to Chelsea, it is true. But Arsène Wenger has made the difference. He sended me several sms, and convinced me he wanted me in his team. In opposite, I never had a call from Di Matteo. I don’t even know if he knows me ! I was convinced Wenger was trully believing in me. The only other coach who called me was Mark Hughes, from QPR. But Arsenal is definitely a top team, and I want to play Champions League.

Several team contacted me, russian teams, ukrainian teams, Fenerbahçe… I could have earn a lot of money. But I have a good contract here with Arsenal, and I’m fully satisfied with it.

I’m happy to became French Champion with Montpellier, but I still want silverware. And that’s why I came here. But don’t need to rush, I’m firstly here to improve. Arsene Wenger is convinced he can help me for that, and I trust him, because a lot of players have knowed success with him. »

*Journalist talks about Chamakh, struggling since 2 seasons

« People forget Marouane has made a very good start with Arsenal. He scored several goals during his first games, and I’ll try to do the same. But I know there is a world-class striker here, and I will have to deal with it. I must be clear : I don’t come here to take Van Persie’s spot. If I though so, I would be stupid. Robin has just perform an amazing season, scored a lot of goals. I do not pretend to be better than him. I want to bring my part in Arsenal success, but on his side, if he stays.

Can we be complementary ? I think so. Bayern Munich tried to buy me, but Gomez and I are really close in our style of play, so it would have been complicated to play alongside together. But with Robin, even if we are both lefties, we can play together. And I assume Wenger has a clear idea with that, and that’s why he wanted me. Each game, I want to put pressure on the Boss, to try to push him to change his tactic and makes us play together, Robin and I. I know it won’t be easy, but I’m ambitious. I don’t fear the failure, I’m confident in my qualities.

I know I will have to adapt to English football, and it can be scary, but I’m also really impatient. Againt Sunderland, I will have a little pressure, no doubt, if the Boss makes me start. I’m realistic, I can’t pretend to anything yet in Premier League. A lot of people don’t even know me, even in the team. I have to be humble and respectfull, as Laurent (Koscielny) did. Being French Champion is an add, but it never be a garantee.

I must precise an important thing about my twitter account : I just have opened my own one, wich is https://twitter.com/#!/_OlivierGiroud_. On Facebook, the only real page is « Olivier Giroud, la page officielle ». And my official website is www.oliviergiroud-officiel.fr . A lot of fake account are now running, and I’m upset with that »


Groover.fr

You should mention that the '.' isn't actually in his Twitter username...

It's all French anyway ):

I think Giroud has replaced Vermalen as how most prettiest player

aleumdance wrote:I think Giroud has replaced Vermalen as how most prettiest player

I thought Arteta was...

guys read this

http://forums.liverpoolfc.com/threads/310814-Giroud-amp-Podolski

see what the average Liverpool fan thinks of oru signings, they never fail to dissapoint with arsenal hate

those are thesame people that made a thread called

" thoughts as arsenal sink into med table mediocrity"

they cancelled that thread by January

Sina wrote:

our 3rd kit looks like the old Toronto Raptors Jerseys lol

And the drought continues.....5 Games now!!

He'll score against City, wait and see

take a look at some of numbers in this article

it aint that bad yet


http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/44819/behind-the-numbers-

Henry - 9 games - 1st goal
RVP - 6 games - 1st goal
Bergkamp - 8 games - 1st goal

I remember Henry' struggles in front of goal at the beginning. RVP was only 20 when he signed for Arsenal so it wasn't really a big deal. As for Bergkamp, I didn't really know it took him that long to get his first goal.

It seems like all great Arsenal forwards struggle at first

He's just clearly intimidated by Podolski, that's all.