Yesterday it was confirmed on the Arsenal website that an agreement was reached for the signature of the France international, Olivier Giroud, for an undisclosed fee (although it is heavily rumoured that the fee approximated to the region of €15 million) on a long-term contract. A bargain signing from Mr Wenger who brings in the top goal scorer in Ligue 1 to partner the current Premier League top goal scorer – deadly. Although, it is still unclear whether the acquisition of the Frenchman purposed as a replacement for Robin Van Persie.
So that’s signing number two for Arsene Wenger who is getting his signings in early to manage the cohesion of the side, as he tries to avoid last season’s aberrant start. However, lets delve into the presaged catalyst that this particular piece of business will mean in regards to the future of Van Persie?
Despite Arsenal’s worst ever defensive Premier League season to date, Wenger has brought in a second striker (abreast to the addition of Lukas Podolski). Fans may start to question where the defensive signings the club desperately need are, nevertheless it is not much of a far cry, as Arsenal have managed to secure themselves an astute signing. Only time will tell whether the acquisition from French Champions, Montpellier, is seen as a replacement for Robin Van Persie or a statement of intent to finally start challenge for titles.
Van Persie’s contribution last season cannot be described without it sounding like an understatement. The Dutchman scored more than two thirds of Arsenal’s goals and now Wenger has brought in the cavalry to abate the load of Van Persie’s shoulders. Prior to the Euro’s, the imperative contract negotiations between Arsenal and the Dutchman broke down, and seemed as though that was the sealing of Van Persie’s career.
Van Persie and his Holland side were resigned to a premature exit from the Euro 2012 with the prolific striker failing to find the form that saw him bag 30 goals. More notably, his lacklustre performance disabled him from attracting avaricious eyes from bigger clubs. Thus, his future at the club looks even more ambiguous that even the great Nostradamus would be unable to give us a accurate reading on his future.
Hopefully, with the signing of Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud ,and with the strong possibility of bringing in Yann M’Vila, Arsenal have done enough to persuade the player of the season to achieve his dreams of winning trophies at a club where in unison scream adulations for him.
In regards to Arsenal the shopping spree doesn’t look like slowing its course. We can only perceive this as a good thing.
