I spent most of my weekend just watching over and over again the vine of Olivier Giroud plucking the ball out of the Wembley air without a hair moving out of place.
The French international, to coin a horrendous cliche, has a great touch for a big man – a trait that is continually underappreciated in any assessment of the striker – alongside that, Giroud offers a physical presence, an ability to score all sorts of goals and an alternative outlet to the usual Arsene Wenger style of player.
Since returning from a long spell in the treatment room, Giroud has been in fine form with 11 goals in his last 13 appearances for club and country. However, despite becoming as indispensable to the Gunners as the likes of Alexis Sanchez, the former Montpellier man still struggles to be considered as a top notch striker.
Criticism of the 28-year-old in the past has been justified, however, as he has developed and improved, the opinions already formed on the striker by Arsenal fans, pundits and journalists, alike, have refused to move.
In fact, a regular remark aimed towards Giroud is that he’s no Robin van Persie…
Since Van Persie joined @ManUtd and Giroud joined #Arsenal, both players have scored 57 goals each for their clubs. pic.twitter.com/Peb6rtjyCE
— Top Eleven (@topeleven) April 19, 2015