Arsenal accused of ‘wasting’ striker

Arsenal accused of ‘wasting’ striker

Jamie Redknapp believes Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud is being wasted at the club, labelling him as ‘too good’ to be used as a super-sub.

The Frenchman scored a late winner against Leicester City on Friday as the Gunners’ started their Premier League campaign with a 4-3 victory.


Having only played as a bit part last season for Arsenal, it would seem the striker is set to play even less with the arrival of Alexandre Lacazette who will almost certainly be Wenger’s first-choice striker following his £52m move to the Emirates.

But Redknapp believes Giroud is too good to sit on the bench at the Emirates, saying Wenger has a difficult job to keep his forwards happy.

“It was interesting to see Olivier Giroud look down his nose at suggestions he is a supersub after his winner for Arsenal,” Redknapp told the Daily Mail.

“Giroud is too good to be an impact man from the bench. He is behind Alexandre Lacazette and Alexis Sanchez and Arsene Wenger has a job on his hands to keep all his strikers happy.”

“Giroud can remain a super-sub but it’s a waste of his talents.”

Wenger insisted he ‘loves’ Giroud after the 4-3 win against Leicester, but admits he gave him the opportunity to leave earlier in the summer.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Wenger said: “I love the man and the player. He is a fantastic guy and he is committed and loves the club.”

“He doesn’t want to leave. At one stage I opened the door for him because he knew I had many strikers.”

“He is loved here and we are very happy he decided to stay.”