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29 March 2024

Arsenal pressure puts Giroud in Torres meltdown

Arsenal's Olivier Giroud (left) vies with Liverpool's Daniel Agger during the English Premier League match at Anfield in Liverpool, England on September 2, 2012. (AFP)

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By Staff

Maybe, Abou Diaby does read the papers and online forums. 

He certainly seemed intent on proving that Alex Song leaving is not the end of the world so many Arsenal fans (and detractors) were predicting. 

In a game that can be described in ‘Yaya Toure’ terms of impact and stature – the Manchester City midfield general now quite clearly the standard for all midfield play – Diaby was magnificent. 

The problem is, perhaps Olivier Giroud reads the press too. 

One hopes not, because the pressure that comes from trying to fill Robin Van Persie’s boots will be quite enough without the hype and hoopla of the printed/online word. 

For the moment though, Giroud is wilting. 

Two sitters missed in the three games. 

The confidence is sapping from his face and his play and Arsene Wenger better work his magic on him, or Giroud is in danger of a Fernando Torres-type meltdown. 

Make no mistake. Lukas Podolski was brought in to play with Robin Van Persie. 

And what a pairing that would have been. With the quality of Santi Cazorla and Mikel Arteta and the revival of Diaby, not to mention Tomas Rosicky and Jack Wilshere still to come; and one would not have to get to the back four to have a realistic title dream. 

Van Persie is gone.

Olivier Giroud was brought in to replace Van Persie. 

Now, Wenger must get the striker not to choke in front of goal. 

Liverpool was, in the end, a walk in the park because Brendan Rodgers, as this website predicted, did not have a Plan B when he found he could not out-tiki-taka Arsenal. 

As Fernando Torres showed us last season, one miss is forgiveable, two is dangerous, three and it will be a crisis.

Olivier Giroud is one miss away from a crisis. And as the striker goes, normally, so does Arsenal.