Arsenal’s failure in the summer to add any player other than Petr Cech to their senior squad was the cause of much discontent among the club’s fan base.

It has long been discussed that a top class forward should be a priority, someone with a killer instinct to ruthlessly finish off the chances their pretty passing game produces.

Karim Benzema was just one of a selection of high profile names linked with a switch to the Emirates but in the end, no signing materialised.

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For the moment at least, the concerns and fears of the Gunners’ faithful seem unfounded. All the club’s forward players have been amongst the goals of late.

Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud blew away Leicester between them while the Chilean was instrumental in the defeat of Manchester United last weekend. Such is Sanchez’s game-changing ability, his place n the side is virtually guaranteed which means the other two find themselves in direct competition.

Walcott’s current form sees Giroud in line for what looks like an increasing amount of time on the subs bench and many Arsenal fans will be glad to see him sat there.

There has always been a feeling among the supporters that the Frenchman has never quite been good enough to lead the line at their club.

Arsene Wenger has always been keen to defend the striker he bought on the back of good form for Montpellier in Ligue 1.

While the blistering pace of Walcott is currently highly effective and the England man is on a hot streak, it would be unwise to write off Giroud or consign him to a North London Scrap heap.

The big man’s record for Arsenal is not at all bad. He has over 60 goals in 145 appearances, which is a decent strike rate. The problem, many would argue, is that when you play up front for Wenger’s Arsenal, the return should be better.

The French international though, offers more to his team-mates than he is probably given credit for. His link up play is strong and he is the only member of Wenger’s current attacking ranks that is truly most comfortable with his back to goal.

At 6 ft 4" he provides a genuine physical presence, something which has been regularly lacking for years.

The 29 year old boasts great heading ability and a reasonable touch for a man of his build. While Giroud may not be the all conquering front man the fans have been craving, he has a part to play.

His style might not always be required from the off but when Arsenal are struggling he can bring his colleagues into the game and help Arsenal unlock defences.

It should also be taken into account that while Walcott’s style is perhaps more exciting and his current form is catching the eye, his injury record is atrocious.

Right now playing the pacy former Southampton winger in the centre forward position is paying dividends. What happens, however, when he needs a rest or is forced to spend a lengthy period of time on the treatment table?

Giroud’s time will come again. Either by necessity through injury, or when an alternative approach is perhaps the key. If Arsenal are to be successful this season, they will need to overcome a variety of opponents and having contrasting options available in attack will be vital.

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