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Olivier Giroud's Euro 2016 form for France shows he can be good enough to lead the line at Arsenal

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 03:  Olivier Giroud of France celebrates scoring his team's fifth goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 quarter final match between France an

Olivier Giroud has used Euro 2016 to prove he is worthy of leading the line at the Emirates. Arsenal have been regularly linked with big-name strikers, but do they need to splash the cash with Giroud already there? We make the case for no…

Centre-forwards often face a thankless task. Score and they are just doing their job, fail and it's all their fault when the team don't win. After all, they are paid big bucks to score goals.

Giroud is a prime example, regularly chastised by Arsenal and France supporters when he suffers a dip in form, last season in particular.

Despite poor patches in recent months, the 29-year-old has been in fine fettle with France at Euro 2016, scoring three and assisting two as the host nation breezed their way into the last four.

On Thursday night, the Arsenal man is once again expected lead the line, and you wouldn't bet against him being at the centre of the action against world champions Germany.

Olivier Giroud celebrates one of his two goals against Iceland
Image: The Frenchman scored twice against Iceland in the Euro 2016 quarter-final

Perhaps the player Arsenal need to sign most is the Giroud of this summer. Always creating, always working hard, always scoring.

Last season he endured a barren spell, failing to find the net in 15 straight Premier League matches and ultimately losing his place in the squad to Danny Welbeck after the turn of the year.

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It must, therefore, be frustrating for Arsenal fans to watch Giroud in the navy bleu of France as he scores regularly and shows them exactly what he's capable of at the top of his game.

It wasn't always like that. Giroud is only France's main man in the absence of Karim Benzema, left out in the wake of an alleged blackmail scandal involving a team-mate.

TOPSHOT - France's forward Antoine Griezmann (L) celebrates scoring a goal next to France's forward Olivier Giroud during the Euro 2016 round of 16 footbal
Image: Giroud has formed a devastating partnership with Antoine Griezmann (left)

In the lead-up to the tournament, Giroud was booed by France supporters unwilling to admit that he is the best option they have.

At the Stade de France on Sunday night, Giroud's name was sung loudly by all four corners of the stadium after his second goal of the night in a 5-2 romp against Iceland. He cupped his ear to the crowd. How times have changed.

So what more do Arsenal fans want? In truth, it is not specifically a problem with Giroud. It is a problem with their lack of trophies, their always falling short, their apparent acceptance of mediocrity.

Gunners' fans want a big name and guaranteed goals. But who? This summer, they have been heavily linked with Alexandre Lacazette. The same Lacazette who missed out on the France squad behind Giroud.

Olivier Giroud struggled in Arsenal's 1-0 win over Norwich
Image: Giroud went 15 games in a row without scoring for Arsenal last season

Alvaro Morata was another target, but he has re-joined Real Madrid for a fee of €30million. Jamie Vardy has put pen to paper on a new Leicester contract, so now there are reports of Romelu Lukaku being interested in a move away from Everton.

So many names, so little time. One striker is already through the door at the Emirates, but it's quite clear that Takuma Asano is not one for next season.

So why not Giroud? He will be high on confidence when he arrives back at London Colney, regardless of whether France lift the European Championship in Paris on Sunday night.

His form for France has been magnificent, better than his club form last season in almost every aspect. During Euro 2016, he has scored a goal every 100 minutes compared to every 152 with Arsenal.

France's midfielder Mathieu Valbuena (left) Karim Benzema, and Olivier Giroud
Image: Karim Benzema's (centre) omission has given Giroud (right) the chance to lead the line

He has created a chance every 50 minutes, with his short conversion rate at 25 per cent this summer. For Arsenal last season, it was 67.3 minutes per chance created, and 20 per cent conversion rate.

He was voted man of the match after Sunday's win over Iceland, a decision that speaks volumes given France's performance. Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet were sensational, Paul Pogba was another name on the scoresheet. But above them all was Giroud.

Arsenal Giroud v France Giroud

2015-16 Premier League Euro 2016
Goals 16 3
Mins per goal 152 100
Shot conversion rate % 20 25
Assists 6 2
Chances created 36 6
Mins per chance created 67.3 50.0

Still, the same criticisms will be levelled at him by Arsenal fans. He's not world-class, he's got no pace, he doesn't fit our style.

The challenge to Arsene Wenger is to make Giroud fit the style, because Arsenal fans may miss him when he's gone. The Frenchman is arguably at the peak of his career, and worth another go.

Olivier Giroud, Arsene Wenger, Arsenal v Watford, FA Cup
Image: Arsene Wenger (right) must decide whether to buy a striker or stick with Giroud

Use his confidence to your advantage, and perhaps revert to 4-4-2 to give Giroud a strike partner. His form alongside Griezmann this summer proves that someone alongside him suits his game.

It is clear he's not cut from the same cloth as Thierry Henry or Dennis Bergkamp... but Giroud's success in France shows he can be good enough to give Arsenal a real shot at the Premier League title next season.

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