It was always going to be a tall order for Olivier Giroud. The only orthodox centre-forward purchased by Arsene Wenger last summer in the wake of Robin Van Persie’s departure, unhealthy comparisons to the Dutch talisman would naturally follow.
But if the ex-Montpellier marksman’s first season is analysed in isolation, he has made promising beginnings.
A grand total of 16 goals in 42 games in all competitions is pretty strong considering that this is his first season in England and his debut at an elite club. That figure includes 10 in the Premier League and two in the Champions League.
And one of the key features of the 26-year-old’s career so far is the fact that he always explodes into life during his second season a club.
During his debut season at French second division side Tours in 2008-09, he netted 14 goals, but followed that up with 24 goals in his second season – a strike rate that earned him a move to Ligue 1 side Montpellier.
His first season in the south of France also yielded a solid but unspectacular 14 goals. But it was his 25 goals in all competitions that fired Montpellier to a league title last season.
Solid marker
So the signs are good ahead of next season now that he has laid down a solid marker and if his career trend continues he could well enter the 20-goal category in 2013-14.
The only real weaknesses that could be pointed out are the fact that his shooting accuracy is fairly average at 45 per cent and he has yet to make an impact against a bigger club.
Only one of his 10 league goals – a striker against Tottenham in the 5 – 2 derby drubbing earlier in the season - has come against Top Six opposition.
But in many ways, it is his team play which has been his biggest asset as he acclimatises to life at the Emirates.
At 6ft4 he is peerless in the air when it comes to flick-ons, although Arsenal do not aim high balls at him very often due to their style of play. This season he has won over 50 per cent of his aerial duels, only beaten by the likes of Marouane Fellaini, Andy Carroll, Peter Crouch and Christian Benteke among positionally advanced players.
He has also been of aid defensively at corners in much the same way that Didier Drogba used to help to bail out his defence while at Chelsea.
But even on the ground, he has linked up well, providing seven assists, including four in the Champions League. However he still needs to work on the accuracy of his passing as a rate of 64 per cent is very low for a team like Arsenal, even if his primary role is that of a target man.
Wenger may still choose to bring in another striker this summer but he will be satisfied with the start the latest Frenchman on his books has made, and will be banking on even more impressive displays next season.
