Transfer news: Arsenal must make signings before the window closes admits Olivier Giroud
26-year-old is the latest Gunner to speak out over the lack of signings this summer and wants to see new faces in the squad even if it impacts on his own first team chances
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is the latest to speak of the need to strengthen the current squad in the wake of the embarrassing 3-1 defeat on Saturday to Aston Villa.
Giroud put the Gunners ahead early on at the Emirates, but a calamitous defensive display saw Christian Benteke convert two penalties – although the first required the striker to head in the rebound after goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny had kept the ball out of the net – and Andrea Luna rounded out the scoring having seen defender Laurent Koscielny sent off for a second bookable offence.
The Frenchman joined Arsenal last summer from Montpellier and endured a mixed first season in north London, scoring 12 times in the premier League but missing a number of chances in front of goal.
With the departure of Marouane Chamakh to Crystal Palace, and the seemingly impending departure of Nicklaus Bendtner, Giroud will have to carry the majority of the burden of leading the Gunners attack, with not much assistance expected to come from Ju-Young Park and new addition Yaya Sanogo.
Giroud has spoken of his preference to see another high profile striker join the club to provide competition for places, even if it means he misses out on some games to make way for the new man.
Speaking to French newspaper La Parisien, Giroud said: “In my opinion, it’s necessary for the club to recruit another striker.
“Obviously, I think about it a little bit. It may change the play one day, especially if it’s a high profile signing.
“It’s useless lamenting this though. I know what I have to do and what I’m capable of. I’m focusing on me and my work. The coach is counting on me, so I don’t think too much.”
Arsenal’s failings in the transfer market so far look set to continue with their interest in Liverpool striker Luis Suarez looking more unsuccessful as each day passes.
Reds’ manager Brendan Rodgers declaration that the situation is “resolved” could force Arsene Wenger to make a move for £20m rated Michu, who joined Swansea last season from Rayo Vallecano for just £2m and going on to score 22 goals in his debut season.
Arsenal supporters’ groups have written to chief executive Ivan Gazidis to address the alarming situation, with Wenger set to be without a number of players due to injury when they head to Turkey to play the Champions League play-off first leg against Fenerbahce on Wednesday.
They lost England international Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at half-time on Saturday to join Mikel Arteta, Thomas Vermaelen and Nacho Monreal on the sidelines, but there was some good news in that Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and Thomas Rosicky expected to be fit.
Wenger has spoken many times in the last fortnight to contain fans’ frustrations, claiming that the club are working “24 hours a day” to secure new arrivals, but as it stands, Wenger could have just 12 fit first-team players available this week.
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