Sunday 1 May 2016 11:01, UK
Arsenal strengthened their grip on the Champions League places by beating Norwich but the nervy 1-0 win provided little entertainment for a disillusioned fanbase. Another ineffectual display from Olivier Giroud was a particular source of frustration…
If it was surprising to see Olivier Giroud in Arsenal's starting line-up against Sunderland last weekend, it was doubly so to see him stay there for the visit of Norwich. The Frenchman's Premier League scoring drought stretched to 801 minutes with a poor showing at the Stadium of Light, and he added another 90 to the total on a difficult afternoon in north London.
The muted protests around the Emirates Stadium suggested many Arsenal supporters are still on Arsene Wenger's side, but his continued faith in Giroud must be testing their patience. It looked all the more puzzling as Danny Welbeck netted the decisive goal just three minutes and seven seconds after coming off the bench.
Giroud did, at least, provide the cushioned header to set up the goal, but that was about the only thing that went right for him all afternoon. The misfiring striker has not scored in the Premier League since Arsenal's 3-3 draw with Liverpool in January, and he has only found the net in one of his last 21 appearances in all competitions.
The drought never looked like ending against Norwich, who came to soak up pressure and hit the Gunners on the break. In the first half, Arsenal had Petr Cech to thank for keeping the scores level with two saves from Nathan Redmond, and at the other end they failed to muster a single first half shot on target for the fourth time in their last nine home games.
Giroud toiled as the lone striker. He set the tone for the afternoon when he failed to get a shot away from Aaron Ramsey's pass in the 11th minute, and at the end of the first period he had touched the ball fewer times than goalkeeper Cech. "Our game lacked a little bit of pace and penetration," Wenger conceded in his post-match interview with Sky Sports. "It was a bit one-paced."
It felt like a pointed reference to Giroud, whose struggles continued after the break. Just 30 seconds into the second half he wastefully headed a lofted pass over the onrushing Alex Iwobi on the edge of Norwich's box, and two minutes later he ran a Ramsey through ball out for a goal kick.
His lack of movement and reluctance to run in behind made it difficult for the visibly frustrated Mesut Ozil to unlock Norwich's defence, and the visitors were comfortable sitting back and watching Arsenal harmlessly pass the ball from one side of the midfield to the other.
It appeared as though Giroud's afternoon might be over when Welbeck began stripping off in the dugout, but Wenger had other ideas, and while most Arsenal supporters had not partaken in the banner protests, the crowd were united in vociferous booing at the decision to withdraw Alex Iwobi instead of their No 12.
Welbeck, meanwhile, gave Arsenal exactly what they needed. The former Manchester United striker, so impressive before losing his place in the side after the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace earlier this month, provided an immediate injection of speed and urgency. His first contribution was to set up a shooting chance for Mohamed Elneny, and his well-taken goal came shortly afterwards.
It was his fourth in 10 Premier League games since his return from injury in January and with it he equalled his tally for the whole of last season. Suddenly, Arsenal looked dangerous, with Welbeck's pace stretching Norwich and providing an outlet for the counter-attack. The contrast with the static Giroud could hardly have been more obvious.
The Frenchman did not link play adequately either. His passing accuracy of 65.7 per cent was the lowest of Arsenal's outfield starters, and their attacks continued to break down around him as the second half wore on. He spurned a chance to release Ozil with a poor first touch in the 66th minute, and on the one occasion he did succeed in springing Norwich's offside trap with eight minutes to go, he gave his marker time to recover and steal back possession.
The difference in intensity between the Arsenal forwards was clearest in the closing minutes as, shortly after Giroud could be seen ambling back from an offside position during an Gunners attack, Welbeck was throwing himself into tackles and feverishly pressing Norwich defenders in the centre circle.
The contrasting performances give Wenger plenty to think about ahead of Arsenal's trip to Manchester City next weekend. On recent evidence, his best chance of claiming a result at the Etihad Stadium would be to deploy the striker more suited to their style.
