Frenchman, Olivier Giroud has been in sensational form this season, scoring 10 goals in 19 matches in all competitions to fire the Gunners to the top of the Premier League table. His three goals in the Champions League means Arsenal just need a point in their remaining game to qualify for the knockout stages.
However, he was unable to add to that tally on Saturday when Cardiff entertained Arsenal at the Cardiff City Stadium. Part of the reason was his willingness to show his loyalty to the Fair Play award, when he halted on his own accord after being sent through on goal by Mesut Ozil’s deft flick.
For some reason, the 27-year-old considered himself to be offside; although credit must be given to him considering that he was playing the game in its true spirit. The incident occurred in the 15th minute when the scores were still tied at 0-0 but you should always play to the whistle.
Arsene Wenger might have disagreed with his leading striker’s absurd decision, and so might Giroud in hindsight, as he was not offside and should have given the side a 1-0 lead. Metro report that Giroud missed a sitter with his baffling decision and have also uploaded the video of the incident.
That miss, if you may call it that, did not prove costly for the north London club as an Aaron Ramsey-inspired Arsenal swept aside the Bluebirds with an emphatic 3-0 win to send them seven points clear at the top of the table.
Ramsey was on song as he returned to the club from where he joined Arsenal in 2008 as a 17-year-old and refused to celebrate after scoring a clinical header from Ozil’s cross. Flamini made sure of the points with a fine finish late on, before Ramsey added a third to send the away fans into delirium.