Arsenal
Is Giroud Good Enough? Or Arsenal Need Someone Like Benzema To Win The League?
They say situations of greater entropy are bound to happen, especially Arsene Wenger’s love for annual French acquisitions. History suggests no team in the Premier League era has won the title with just a single recognized striker in their armoury. Olivier Giroud’s ability in leading Arsenal’s strike force up front has been a major reason why the Gunners have set the pace in this Premier League season so far. The Arsenal number 12 forms an integral part of the squad who after eight long years of disdain are finally getting their act right and in due course of time must believe they can seriously win the Premier League title come this May.
Today we here at Soccersouls will analyse Giroud’s off the ball movements, tactical brilliance and his attacking forays in the final third, dropping deep, holding the ball up for his team mates and conclude whether Arsenal need a better striker than the Frenchman.
Dropping deep and making space for his wingers:
Just consider the following heat map against Fulham. Even though Arsenal didn’t deliver their best half of football in the first half against the Cottagers last week, see how Giroud drops deep in the right flank and makes space for his overlapping defenders.
Jan.18th 2014, Fulham(H), Position: Striker; Source: Squawka
This leads to a snowball effect, the defender who is marking Giroud is dragged out of position, this creates yards of space if he goes with the French striker, enabling the attacking midfielders to draft into a pocket of space, thus the opposition defensive midfielder doesn’t know whom to pick up. As the space now opens up, Giroud now can lay the ball to the overlapping defender, who cuts the ball back into space and the move is finished off. This is exactly Arsenal’s target man workout.
Giroud’s action areas:
Let’s look into Giroud’s action areas in the following snap. Majority of the time the Arsenal striker tries to barge forward making a certain straight locus. This is where Football’s golden rulebook comes into play.
You have to work with your wide players in training so they know what runs you’re going to make. Normally, if the crosser gets to the line he’ll send it to the front post, and if it’s a cross from deeper it goes to the second post. However if the striker makes a run in between the opposing centre back, to get rid of him, and the first post, it means that the crosser will surely aim for the near post. It’s important that you and your team-mates agree on the strategy in training. At Montpellier too, Giroud had developed a great understanding with the wide players and this season too, Arsenal with their overloading of the midfield, and playing normal midfielders on the wings, the striker has been able to express himself much more compared to last season.
Holding the ball up front using your body:
If you are a target man, the main aspect of your game certainly has to be how you can use your physical strength and bringing others into play.
Jan.18th 2014, Fulham(H), Position: Striker; Source: Squawka
If we are to notice Giroud’s total passes completed from the match, we can easily figure out how he gets his body in the right position, shields the ball from the defender and drags him out of position, momentarily making space in the final third and laying it off to the overlapping defender or the rampaging winger or even making his trademark flick passes. How many times we have seen him making such passes to Jack Wilshere from edge of the penalty box. Giroud is also a decent header of the ball, sometimes however he looks lost, and its frustrating when your lead striker doesn’t find the back of the net often.
Now coming to the negative aspects of his game. Even though his hold-up play plays an important role in Arsenal’s gameplay, lack of forward runs, and his average finishing skills are frustrating to watch. May be in games against average teams, Arsenal’s golden set of attacking midfielders have enough goal scoring threat in them to win games on their own. But, against top teams like Chelsea and Manchester City, Arsenal need a better striker, some one who can score a goal out of nothing, someone who can finish most of the chances that comes in his way. If they are to get anywhere close to win their lost famed Premier League title, along with Giroud’s hold up play, they need more goal scoring options in the team. Atleast some one like Karim Benzema would do wonders for the gunners. Hope Wenger knew this and act accordingly before the January window shut close in less than ten days time.
Arsenal Dragon
Arsenal Star Katie McCabe Attracting NWSL Interest as Contract Expires This Summer With High Impact Player Rule Making Move Financially Viable
Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe is being closely monitored by National Women’s Soccer League clubs ahead of a pivotal summer for Arsenal. Several NWSL sides have shown ongoing interest for the past 18 months, fully aware that McCabe’s Arsenal deal expires at the end of the season.
The situation places McCabe at an important crossroads in her career. Having tasted Champions League triumph last summer, she wants to compete at the top level and that ambition will inevitably shape any decision she makes. Arsenal face losing one of their most recognizable figures unless they act quickly.
Ten Arsenal Stars Out of Contract
McCabe is not the only high profile name at Arsenal approaching the end of her current deal. The club has a staggering number of senior players out of contract this summer including Stina Blackstenius, Kim Little, Leah Williamson, Caitlin Foord, Beth Mead, Laia Codina, Steph Catley, Victoria Pelova and Manuela Zinsberger.
This list is frankly ridiculous for a club of Arsenal’s stature. Several of these players form the core of the team and have played key roles in recent domestic and European success. Decisions made by the club and by the players themselves will shape the direction of the squad moving forward, and Arsenal cannot afford to lose multiple stars simultaneously.
High Impact Player Rule Changes Game
The introduction of the NWSL High Impact Player rule in July is already influencing how clubs view potential signings from Europe. The rule allows NWSL clubs to exceed the league’s salary cap by up to $1 million for high impact players, making moves for European stars like McCabe financially viable.
For now, McCabe remains focused on finishing the season strongly with Arsenal. Whether her future lies in north London or across the Atlantic will be one of the biggest stories to watch as summer approaches.
Also read: What Is The NWSL High Impact Player Rule and Who Could Be The First To Benefit From It?
Arsenal captain Leah Williamson has been announced as a National Year of Reading ambassador following the official launch of the 2026 campaign at Emirates Stadium.
The Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson unveiled the Go All In initiative on January 13, positioning reading as a gateway to enhancing passions across all walks of life.
Williamson joined a stellar lineup of ambassadors including author Julia Donaldson, illustrator Axel Scheffler, poet Jackie Kay, and several other prominent figures from literature and public life. The event marked a significant moment for literacy promotion in the country, with the campaign centred on the message that reading can deepen enjoyment of whatever people already love.
A Message From the Pitch
Speaking at the launch, Williamson drew parallels between football and reading. She said the National Year of Reading represents a chance to fully commit to personal passions through literature in all its forms. The Arsenal skipper encouraged people to seize the opportunity by picking up books, listening to audiobooks, or diving into articles related to their interests. Her involvement underscores how sports figures can champion reading beyond their professional domains.
Resetting Reading Culture
Joanna Prior, chief executive of Pan Macmillan and chair of The National Literacy Trust, described the launch as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform how Britain views books.
The ambition extends beyond traditional reading spaces, aiming to make literature accessible in communities, schools, and even on football pitches. Prior emphasized stripping away pressure and stigma around reading, making it relevant and enjoyable rather than obligatory.
The campaign represents a coordinated national effort to boost literacy rates and foster a genuine love of reading across all demographics and age groups throughout 2026.
Also read: Jodie Taylor Appointed Arsenal Women’s First Ever Technical Director
Arsenal Women host Manchester United on Saturday in a crucial six pointer for Champions League qualification. The Gunners sit just one point above United in the WSL table and victory at Emirates Stadium would give them a strong buffer, while defeat leaves them playing catch up in the race for Europe.
The match marks Arsenal’s return from the winter break following a busy week that saw Renee Slegers sign a new contract and Jodie Taylor promoted to Technical Director. However, the immediate focus is on securing three points against Marc Skinner’s side in what promises to be a tense encounter.
Kick-off: 12:30 GMT, Saturday, January 11, 2026
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
TV: Sky Sports (UK)
Cooney Cross Absent For Personal Reasons
Arsenal will be without Kyra Cooney Cross who has returned to Australia for personal reasons. Daphne van Domselaar is not quite ready to return from a quad injury while Chloe Kelly remains out with a knee problem. Jenna Nighswonger will not be in the matchday squad as she negotiates a loan move.
New signing Smilla Holmberg from Hammarby will be in the squad alongside recalled goalkeeper Naomi Williams. Manu Zinsberger and Katie Reid are out with ACL injuries. The absence of Cooney Cross means Mariona will likely drop into the deeper midfield role she has occupied for much of the last year.
United Strengthened in January
Manchester United have been busy in the transfer window, adding full back Hanna Lundkvist from San Diego Wave and centre forward Lea Schuller from Bayern Munich. Skinner was dealt a poor hand over the summer with a very small squad handling Champions League qualifiers and the group phase.
Predicted Lineup:
Arsenal (4-3-3): Borbe; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Little, Mariona, Maanum; Mead, Russo, Smith
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Tullis Joyce; Lundkvist, Le Tissier, Janssen, Sandberg; Miyazawa, Zigiotti; Park, Malard, Awujo; Schuller
Also read: Arsenal Women disable social media comments after sexist backlash to new signing
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