Alexis Sánchez

I think it’s down to mentality with Giroud. On his day, when it feels good for him or he feels in the mood so to speak, he manages to iron out a lot of players to be fair. When nothing is going to plan, that’s when we see the moany, theatrical being we see in-part with him.

I’m hoping Wenger’s use for Alexis at CF is simply to allow Perez ‘time’ to bed in. An already team-experienced guy like Alexis, with a knack for producing/scoring goals can take the hit while the new guy settles in before getting a good lambasting from everyone. As is the Arsenal way!

Here’s hoping we see him get some game time this weekend.

The idea that CBs love playing against Giroud is one of the biggest myths around. I don’t know where that idea has come from tbh. My guess is people mistake physicality and physical presence for aggression. Just because Giroud doesn’t throw elbows or gouges anybody eye socket doesn’t mean he isn’t a constant nuisance to CBs.

The guy has the most headed goals in the PL since 12/13 yet some claim he isn’t physical enough? Were all 19 of those headers uncontested!? Giroud is underrated and under appreciated. There are plenty of example of him showing consistently with his physicality.

You just need to look at the last two goals we’ve scored to see Giroud physicality on display. Against Southampton he does well in getting ahead of Fonte, shielding the ball away from Fonte and presenting himself as a target for Mustafi’s long ball. Fonte’s attempts to secure the ball leads to the match winning penalty. You don’t get that method of attack with anyone else in this squad.

Against PSG Giroud recovers possession and plays a simple to pass to the creative outlet then proceeds to get into the box. He knows Ozil has the quality and he know where he needs to be.

He occupies Silva in hope of cross from Ozil, PSG’s back line reacts and drops deeper in anticipation of a cross which they know is a credible danger because Giroud is in the box. This allows Iwobi space and time in the opposition’s box to get a shot off

Giroud is still blocking Silva when the ball comes to Iwobi which in turn allows him to have a shot on goal. If Giroud isn’t there giving him a hard time Silva would be better positioned to rush out and block Iwobi’s attempt. Without Iwobi attempt there is no rebound for Alexis and no goal. Giroud played a key role in the build to that goal really.

I honestly never brought into the idea that Giroud slows down our play or is incompatible with certain players. Our attack play this season looks sloppy and sporadic without him

2 Likes

I wouldn’t be surprised if Wenger is sending a mesaage to Giroud that he is relegated to 3rd or 4th choice if he doesn’t pick up his game. However many games it was that he didn’t score was unacceptable, especially when he turns up at the euros and gives it his all. Btw I myst be watching a different game because Giroud is plenty physical and rarely loses aerial duels. In fact because he’s so physically aggressive he’s got sent off in the CL in back to back years. Back on topic Sanchez teally should be playing on the wing. Theo and Perez up top until we need a headed goal or something different from the bench.

You spelled Iwobi wrong.

I don’t think Iwobi as CF is a good idea.

1 Like

Iwobi Alexis on the wing :wink: Perez upfront.

Or Alexis Perez on the wing Giroud upfront.

Theo free zone.

1 Like

Alexis up front could work if we’d bought someone as good as him to replace him. I prefer the best players all on the pitch even if one is in a slightly less optimal role, because it’s clear wherever Alexis plays, he and Ozil work well together and if we had 4 players working like that some magic would happen.

Regardless of what position people are playing, a unit consisting of Giroud and Alexis will always be stronger than a unit consisting of Alexis and Chamberlain.

When you have idiot wingers that don’t understand basic principles like high crosses for Giroud, low crosses for Alexis then what chance have you got. Sometimes Alexis won’t be in the box, so you need to look to pick out the likes of Ozil who have probably found space but sometimes we still get blind crosses floated somewhere in the box (or beyond the box as seems to be more commonplace so far).

One of the things I hate most about post stadium Wenger is how unadaptable we are. I remember it with Chamakh/RvP, the rest of the team just doesn’t adjust to a different forward. I don’t remember that being a big problem with Wiltord, Henry, DB, Kanu, Adebayor.

I think Giroud is still Wenger’s preferred striker, and you’re right, our attack play this season looks sloppy without him, but the problem is we have too many players that are not playing in their best position or that aren’t consistently good enough.
Walcott still doesn’t know what his best position is, Sanchez has been tried out as a striker, on the left and on the right, Chamberlain and Iwobi are too inconsistent, and with the arrival of Perez it has just made it even more complicated.

Has Perez been bought as a striker or a wide player or as cover for both positions or as a starter for either position?

What we need are specialist players playing in their best position regularly, otherwise we are going to continue to look disorganised upfront.

I agree.
If we had bought a player like Mahrez, it would have been interesting to see if a midfield of Ozil, Cazorla and Mahrez would have worked with Sanchez upfront.
The only problem would be the lack of height and how Giroud would have fitted into the equation.
Because if we needed a goal and Sanchez upfront wasn’t working, he wouldn’t take kindly to being substituted for Giroud.

@Craigie be my only brother in this Sanchez as CF wish.

1 Like

It won’t last, he’ll be back out wide sooner than later

I hate being a broken record but Wenger is just a totally shit manager right now. Want him out or want him in no one on either side of that fence and no neutral can deny it. He just doesn’t have it any longer he’s all over the place.

I have a doubt :expressionless:

In my opinion, especially after today, some players in our squad don’t love Alexis and his desire to be first lady (the attribution of the first goal and the penalty robbed to Santi).

1 Like

Was he just hungry wanting to take that penalty that Cazorla should have taken ?

ESPN’s American site is running with a rumor that City are planing to buy Alexis in January.

I can’t think of the last time Arsenal have sold anyone of consequence in January. In addition to that Pep has coached Alexis once before and it didn’t quite work out for Alexis in Barca.

That being said I can’t help but think the constant speculation about Alexis leaving (first to Bayern, then Juventus and now City) means that someone (either the club or Alexis’ people) are making it clear that the marriage isn’t going to last.

I reckon he is leaving soon also. He just hasnt been how he used to be at the start and that thing with the penalty apparently wenger aint happy with that as he took it upon himself when he is not the designated penalty taker. That could have cost us a match in any other circumstances thankfully it didnt go that way. This shows a lack of respect and also that he is fucking selfish, just like when he is told to slow down and refuses to do so he thinks about himself and not the team it even comes out in his play he hangs onto the ball for way too long before releasing to someone in a better position.

Maybe we are starting to see why (albeit a good player) he doesn’t stick to a club for long because he is fucking selfish and only cares about him…he wants the ball he demands passes to him and doesnt pass that much and now demanding and taking over other peoples jobs in the team it has gotta bring upset, imagine how that made Cazorla feel. Also his injuries come because he burns himself out because ‘he must play’ and if he is subbed he acts like a fucking child. I love him as a footballer, but as a person seems a control freak and fucking petty and selfish!

Any proof that Wenger isn’t happy with that? He typically encourages freedom in his attackers no?

“Santi was down to take it,” he told the BBC. ” I don’t know why it did not happen, they have pecking order, it was not planned for Sanchez to take it".

“I want to know what happened and for it not to happen again".

1 Like

Very worrying. I think there is no chance of us selling him in January but I can see him refusing to sign a new deal and us being forced to sell next summer. We’ll get a good price, even with one year on his contract, but right now our problem is finding top level attackers who will choose us over other clubs, not affording them.

Deciding to sell you mean.

Wow that’s absolutely scathing. Do you know what the tone of it like? Thanks for the info either way!