Arsenal was far from their best on Boxing Day, while West Bromwich Albion put together a classic Tony Pulis-led performance, frustrating their opponent in an attempt to snatch a 0-0 draw. The Baggies nearly pulled it off, too, before finally conceding to Olivier Giroud in the 86th minute. The Frenchman’s goal was all about effort.
Olivier Giroud bails out Arsenal with his fifth result-changing goal of the season
He hasn’t had a great season, but Olivier Giroud has consistently performed when Arsenal needs him the most.
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This is only Giroud’s sixth goal of the season. He wasn’t fit enough to make an impact for Arsenal until well into the fall, and he’s been kept out of the starting lineup for five straight matches. But when Giroud has gotten a chance this season, he’s usually made something great happen.
All but one of Giroud’s goals have changed the result of the game they came in. His first of the season was a winner off the bench against Sunderland, and he added another goal in that game for good measure. Giroud has also scored an equalizer against Ludogorets, an equalizer against Paris Saint-Germain to send Arsenal top of their Champions League group, an equalizer away to Manchester United, and now this winner against West Brom. And while doing this, Giroud has made a point of scoring the physical types of goals not usually seen from Alexis Sánchez and Theo Walcott.
Giroud’s playing style and average finishing make it tough for Arsène Wenger to insert him into the starting lineup at the expense of Sánchez, Walcott, or a true wide player when everyone is fully fit, but he’s still proving his worth to Arsenal. Giroud gives Arsenal a different element when he’s needed, and he’s proving to be extremely clutch player for the Gunners.
