A Bergkamp Wonderland

The questions surrounding Arsenal’s center forward have always been a topic of debate; sometimes more heated than it’s needed to be. After being spoiled throughout the years by the likes of Ian Wright, Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry, and Robin van Persie, we’ve been graced by the acquired-taste that is Olivier Giroud.

Opinions on the big Frenchman are akin to his performances on the pitch for the club, divided. On his day, for both club and country, Giroud is capable of brilliance; his goal at the weekend against Crystal Palace showcasing just what he is in fact capable of. But there are other times, where wayward finishing, lethargic running in the box, and remonstrating with the referee more so than putting his nose to the grind have plagued the perceptions surrounding the former Montpellier front man.

Though his goal scoring record for the club is laudable indeed, Giroud has given way to the Chilean energizer bunny that is Alexis Sánchez. Not traditionally a “center forward”, having only been deployed in such a manner earlier on in his career at Udinese along-side Antonio Di Natale, and more recently for the Chilean national team in a front two with Hoffenheim forward Eduardo Vargas – and never the lone man up front. What Sánchez has proven throughout his career, and has gone on and continued to do currently for Arsène Wenger’s side, is that he is incredibly versatile; and it has paid dividends for us this season.

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