Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech has voiced his support for maligned striker Olivier Giroud, after the striker salvaged a point for the Gunners against Manchester United on Saturday.
Giroud receives an unwarranted level of criticism from the Arsenal faithful despite scoring over twenty goals a season more often than not. The French forward has been utilised brilliantly off the bench in recent weeks by Arsene Wenger, coming on tonet a brace at Sunderland as well.
Giroud's last 9 shots on target:
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I think from time to time people do not give him enough credit because he works hard for the team, Cech told French publicationSFR Sport.
He is useful when he starts, he is also useful when he comes on. He can make the difference, I think that he is a very important player for us."
Arsenal had played poorly for much of the game at Old Trafford, and were deservedly losing 1-0 after 89 minutes in Manchester. However, Giroud's introduction helped the Gunners salvage a point from the jaws of defeat when the striker met an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain cross with an unstoppable header.
Star strikerAlexis Sanchez had failed to make enough of an impact in the game to score, and the Chilean has been linked with a move to Manchester City in January as a new contract remains some distance away from being signed.
Giroud aims to silence critics against Paris Saint Germain https://t.co/3mQOiS70jm via todayng pic.twitter.com/IPLD3am6w9
Giroud has also been linked with a move away from the Emirates in January, with Napoli one interested party. The loss of the player would be a disastrous one for Arsenal's title challenge.
The striker should get a chance to show what he can do by starting Arsenal's Champions League encounter against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday evening.