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Wenger Confirms Giroud Is On His Way To N5

There was a time when Arsene Wenger would spring a few surprises in the transfer market, we`d all be on tenterhooks right up until the last second of the transfer window because the Frenchman was so secretive anything could happen.

It appears however that those days have long since past. By the time Arsene`s targets are unveiled in their shiny new Arsenal shirts, the Gooners have been well aware (however sceptical we feel) that these players could well be on the way to the club.

Olivier Giroud is the latest player to be part of an Arsenal "worst kept secret", his signature all but confirmed by the Arsenal manager.

'Giroud didn't play much [at the Euro 2012], but he's going to be an Arsenal player 90 per cent next season."

"I think he has exceptional potential and will integrate very well in our collective and our way of playing. He is a real team player and knows how to combine with other players and I'm sure he will do well with us.''

This follows the poor kept secret of striker Lukas Podolski coming to Arsenal.

This signing of a second striker so far this summer will lead to much speculation regarding Robin van Persie`s future. It is something we`re going to have to wait a little while to gather information on, however if van Persie genuinely wants to stay at Arsenal as long as we can provide a team that can challenge for trophies the he`s going to have a hard time talking his way into a transfer, especially if Yann M`Vila is another poorly kept Wenger secret.

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Writer: Rocky7

Date:Friday June 22 2012

Time: 11:48AM

Your Comments

Giroud didn't play much [at the Euro 2012], but he's going to be an Arsenal player 90 per cent next season." Was Wenger speaking from the future after the Spain game via one of those new-fangled 'time telephones' , or does he just not fancy France's chances?

Wingston75

twice in two weeks I comment, Rocky - I'm like that eclipse from a few weeks back - the next one won't be for 108 years...

Wingston75

It is, indeed, a departure from the past where Wenger keeps these things to his chest. It is fair to say his hand is being forced by increase in communication technology and availability of information on all manner of media. Plus, the antics of greedy agents who will put confidential information out there to influence the direction of negotiations. Safe to say we mostly knew this was a done deal by what we have read since last week.

Naijagunner

Proactive transfers from the club management till date. The additions of Podolski and Giroud besides adding to the depth of our strike force are a clear message to RVP about the club's ambition to get back to its halcyon days. More work to do in midfield, goalkeeping backup and perhaps defence but a string of sales of squad players should be able to fund further activity in the market. RVP may have realised over the course of the Euros that it doesn't matter if his team mates are of the quality of Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Huntelaar or De Jong if the unit doesnt work as a whole. At Arsenal RVP is at the centre of the team and the value of that cant be over stated. Unlike Fabregas who was adamant about going back to his boyhood club, RVP doesnt have such a complication. Will be fabulous if RVP signs on but in the worst case scenario atleast the club is as prepared as it could possibly be.

Deltaforce

This is good, don't like the 90% stuff though, will believe it when i see it

shewore

Last week, Gazidiz hinted at a 'big announcement'. Question is, could this be it? It also became a bit obvious when Wenger jokingly stated "he wouldn't talk (about Giroud), even under torture. Strange, he has been giving hints before his signings; if one is to take a cue from that, it is safe to assume we are not close to getting M'villa.

Naijagunner

Just hope RVP is seen as operating in the hole behind the front two, a la Bergkamp. Both Rosicky and Arteta are not long term solutions, and may be more injury prone this season. I think Wenger is thinking ahead.

Wyn Mills

SW - I think that last 10% would just be getting Olivier out of his training camp and commiting pen to paper. France going into a match against Spain there's no way he'd take his focus away from that now, especially if things are all but done.

Wyn - I've been watching some of Giroud's goals on Youtube and I think his style of play would be a beautiful foil for RvP in the Bergkamp role. He seems to be a real predator, van Persie will finish will many many assists to go with his goals next year if he stays.

Rocky7

Again, youtube shows that he can score with both feet and thats definitely a plus. You cannot be a bad player if you are two footed. Come on Arsene , get M'Vila,RvP and Theo on board and we are done!!

Sajit

Hope so Rocky. I also like the fact that both Giroud and Poldi look like they can handle themselves in a crowded box. Poldi has shown he is adept at arriving on the end of a loose ball.

Wyn Mills

I've been very impressed with Podolski in the Euros. He hasn't done anything spectacular, but he's seems to be very economical with the ball, strong, a team player. If we really can get Podolski, Giroud, M'Vila, and get Theo and RvP to sign on I'm going to be one happy Gooner this summer. It would represent an amazing summer for us. Though we could do with a back up goal keeper.

Rocky7

"If we really can get Podolski, Giroud,....". We already got Podolski, Rocky. At least, I am sure I read it someplace :-)

Naijagunner

...Sajit, do you promise not to moan about getting a defender and back-up goalie, even after Arsene listens to you and does all you've asked of him? Thing is we Gooners are so desirous of a perfect team that we will almost always feel we need something more. I must say I agree with you that we should be a formidable side, barring injuries to the 'wrong' players, should we have all of those players in place and signed on.

Naijagunner

Me ? Moan? What? :P Ill be honest. when we got Chamakh and Squillaci I thgouth we would be the side to beat...but that didnt work out that well.. but theres only so much you can do in the market. Rest depends on luck.

Sajit

Hello everybody, sorry to be a killjoy, but I'm almost certain that Rvp is going to leave us, and whilst that would be a painful pill to swallow, I've come to believe that it wouldn't be such a bad thing given his injury record, if, and it's a big if, we get a good replacement in place. Whilst Poldi might be considered his replacement, we would still need to get in a good creative striker, because that's the beauty of Rvp. He's as much a creator as he is a finisher.

deledudu

Very few strikers fit that profile, deledudu. And we can't get Messi, Benzema, Tevez or maybe, Torres.

Naijagunner

Not every team would have one of those, and if the man opts to leave, as it's looking increasingly likely he would, Arsenal Football Club will not cease to exist. I'm a huge fan of Rvp, but I've also adored, Henry, I watched and hero worshipped Bergkamp, and still have a Fabregas sized hole in my heart, but this club will survive. As it always has......

deledudu

I fully expect him to leave too. It will, very likely, result in a new formation and style for our team; perhaps, the manager will consider a 2 man strike force in a 4-4-2 formation to make up for the qualities RvP possesses that we will be missing.

Naijagunner

We always lose key players but we keep on surviving. If RVP feels he must leave then best of luck to him. The doom-mongers will no doubt come out claiming we won't make C/L spots next season etc etc but we have lost keys players on a consistent basis from around 2005 when Vieria left us and have secured CL football every season since then. I am confident we can do it again next season with our without RVP. Obviously I would love for RVP to stay but I have prepared myself for the worst.

Ned Stark

With Giroud coming in I hope we utilize one of his strengths, which is his heading ability. Its not sacrilege to try to score via the aerial route when you're playing against packed defences. In fact its sometimes a necessity in order to open up opponents.

Wyn Mills

In which case, our wingers and full backs need to adapt their play to include crossing into the box.

Naijagunner

Ruud van nistlerooy scored and amazing amount of goals from crosses. It does annoy me that we shy away from running to the byline and blazing the ball across the box. Even RVP is great in the air, a part of his game that is underrated in my opinion. If we can adapt our game to be as destructive from the byline as well as playing through the middle, it will give defenders a real headache......instead of being predictable. Hopefully giroud will give us something else for our locker.

gunnerman76

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Wenger Confirms Giroud Is On His Way To N5

Writer: Rocky7

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