Funnily though, that spot light hasn’t quite been shone upon Arsenal’s leader of the line, Olivier Giroud as much as one would expect. Going into the season with only one senior striker is quite a bizarre scenario, in years gone by it would have been unheard of given that most formations required two strikers starting on the pitch. Given that we play with one striker slightly lessens the theatrics of the situation, but it is still incredible to think if Giroud picks up a suspension or an injury, our fantastic season could crumble instantaneously. So why haven’t the journos and media made a bigger mountain out of this molehill? Well, with Ramsey’s form, the arrival of Özil and that messer Flamini going round mutilating football jerseys, there simply hasn’t been an opportunity to stoke the

An impressive 3 points for Arsenal away from home that gives us a four point lead at the top of the table after a third of the season gone. Let the critics and nay-sayers grumble and moan but as long as we continue to churn out results it will be Arsene who has the last laugh.

In years gone by, we have bemoaned the slip ups against weaker opposition, games we should be winning without having to really go through the gears yet when we finally do come up with a formula that allows us to take home the points against the ‘smaller’ teams in the league, our ability to win against the ‘bigger’ teams is then questioned. Make no mistake about it, if we had beaten United a few weeks ago, people would be asking could we do it against Citeh or Chelski, if we beat them people would be asking could we do it on a wet Tuesday night in Stoke; for a title aspiring team, pundits and critics will continue to move the goalposts. I expect nothing less because it is their job to sell a narrative that will keep people glued to their screens or ensure we pick up the newspaper the next day to see what tragedy or crisis has befallen our club.

It is of course the same for every team, any spin that can be spun will be. The hot topic this season seems to be the success of our relative strikers, look at the theatrics that have played out at Old Trafford with journos citing discontent on van Persie’s part and Rooney’s previous history with new manager Moyes. Tottenham’s 26 million pound paperweight has been found out to be just that – a paperweight. Chelsea’s absurd decision to loan out Lukaku is beginning to look more and more incredulous giving his form and goal scoring antics and Suarez’s…well Suarez in general sells newspapers.

Funnily though, that spot light hasn’t quite been shone upon Arsenal’s leader of the line, Olivier Giroud as much as one would expect. Going into the season with only one senior striker is quite a bizarre scenario, in years gone by it would have been unheard of given that most formations required two strikers starting on the pitch. Given that we play with one striker slightly lessens the theatrics of the situation, but it is still incredible to think if Giroud picks up a suspension or an injury, our fantastic season could crumble instantaneously. So why haven’t the journos and media made a bigger mountain out of this molehill? Well, with Ramsey’s form, the arrival of Özil and that messer Flamini going round mutilating football jerseys, there simply hasn’t been an opportunity to stoke the flames of this relative crisis.

Why, oh why then, am I doing their job for them? Why have I begun the scare mongering amongst the Wengerite’s who in He we trust. Well, simply put I’m not. Don’t get me wrong, I am terrified at seeing Giroud get injured or suspended but in recent weeks, Southampton goals aside, the big beautiful hunk hasn’t been quite the red-hot focal point that he was at the beginning of the season. This week we take on a Hull side that awkwardly dismantled a Sturridge-less Liverpool, so whilst not a team to be underestimated I do feel that it is a great opportunity for some rotation. Hence I think we will see the big Frenchman drop to the bench and see Walcott start in his favoured position up front.

Now the Walcott debate has been and gone in my mind; I don’t feel he has the brain, work rate or required skill to play as Arsenal’s lone centre forward. His style of play is too one dimensional and he often fades in and out of games; however, with the form of our current team and the strength of the squad I am excited to see him come in from time to time and get a chance up front, as on his day I believe he could be devastating. The quality in this Arsenal side is too much for most teams to handle. Do you man-mark Özil? Put two men on him? What poor sole do you put on Ramsey to track his runs? Who will pick up that tricky Spaniard who plays on the left or the bustling Czech international who dictates the pace of the game – add a speedy, deadly Walcott to the mix and you have quite a cacophony of ‘sweet chin music’. With the tricky fixtures we have on the horizon, Hull City at home could be the perfect opportunity to rest a few key guns and dust off that semi-automatic that we had forgotten about and let him loose.

Til’ next time

JR

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