Wenger backs Giroud as oldies keep Arsenal’s Euro hopes alive
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ARSENE Wenger believes Olivier Giroud’s decisive contribution to Arsenal’s vital 3-1 win over West Ham United is a sign the France striker is back to his best in time to fire his side into the UEFA Champions League.
Wenger’s team climbed back above Everton into fourth place in the English Premier League thanks to Giroud’s inspired strike and a brace from Lukas Podolski at the Emirates on Tuesday.
The Gunners had fallen behind to Matthew Jarvis’s first-half header, but Podolski equalized and Giroud then produced a brilliant first touch and lethal finish to put the hosts ahead soon after the break.
Giroud’s majestic piece of control was reminiscent of Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp at his best and Wenger hopes the forward’s performance bodes well for the final four games of the season.
Arsenal has no margin for error as it tries to pip Everton in the race for a top-four finish and Wenger desperately needs a dominant period from Giroud, who had fallen out of favor with the Gunners manager earlier in the season after lurid reports about his private life contributed to a poor run of form.
Wenger even decided to start rookie Yaya Sanogo ahead of Giroud in two of the club’s most important games — the Champions League last 16 first leg against Bayern Munich and Saturday’s FA Cup semifinal win over Wigan.
Great mentality
But he said: “Olivier is a great guy with a great mentality. He has gone through a difficult period as you know.
“I think it affected his confidence but you could see he is refreshed now.
“At half-time he came in very down because he missed a chance, but he is mentally strong and made up for it.”
Giroud’s goal was the highlight of a much-needed rally from Arsenal after a lethargic first half threatened to make a mockery of Wenger’s selection gamble.
Leaving the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the bench, Wenger fielded his oldest starting 11 in the Premier League since May 2003.
Yet, despite that average age of 29 years 188 days, Arsenal was still going strong at the end and Wenger hopes it can replicate that desire and energy for the final four matches of the tense run-in.
“It was a gamble. I said before the game that it was one of the oldest teams I’ve ever played at Arsenal but I trusted the experience. That experience helps when your back is against the wall,” he said.
Wenger remains hopeful about Arsenal’s European challenge, but he acknowledged Everton remains in pole position as a draw or win at home to Crystal Palace yesterday takes the Toffees back above the Gunners into fourth.
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