Arsenal vs Cardiff. 1st Jan. 15:00

[AFC Leveller]

I think Giroud missing chances is down to two things; he isnt ruthless/clinical and he is knackered. he's been playing up front on his own almost every game for an average of 80 minutes and is bound to feel tired and miss chances (esp late on like against Chelsea). I remember someone asked Henry about the 2-3 one on ones he missed against Barcelona in the CL final and he said "i had no power/energy, my legs were gone" as he played almost 80 minutes on is own. Bearing in mind Henry was much fitter and sharper than Giroud, i think we should cut him some slack.

[Power n Glory]

I remember that and he was mainly tired because we had 10 men and were up against Barca defending hard. He very early before the sending off that he should have buried and can’t blame tiredness for that but he had a one on one early down the right that he couldn’t finish with his left foot after a powering run. I still say he’d have buried that on his stronger side.

Regarding Giroud, it’s hard to say whether accumulated fatigue is having an effect on his striking and that’s what some are arguing. He’s getting to the ball and able to pop a shot off so I wouldn’t think fatigue in the early stages of a match comes into play. Not in the first half at least. Late on in the match it could play a part but if he’s knackered in the first half then something is wrong.

[GP]

TEAM NEWS: @MesutOzil1088, @aaronramsey are still out, Giroud and @KieranGibbs are also out for the Cardiff game

[GP]

Chesney

Sagan
Mertesacker
Koscielny
Monreal

Wilshere
Arteta
Rosicky

Walcott
Podolski
Cazorla

[KSE Comedy Club]

Giroud always looks like he's in agony.

I think his lack of goals is down to not being a top-of-the-range striker rather than being knackered. He doesn't exactly have a history of putting lower percentage chances away. He's a good player, but sadly unlikely ever to be a ruthless finisher.

Too much focus is put on our players being close to collapsing. Most top teams play their top players in the majority of games. Ronaldo and Messi play almost every game when available. When Chelsea were at their peak, they played almost the same team in every competition week after week. Wenger has maybe played a few young players (Cisc and Wilshere) too much too soon, but if players like Giroud and Ramsey have great stamina and are not easily injured (which Ramsey hasn't been outside of being almost maimed by a thug) then there's not a problem with them playing so often. Their lack of form can be just that: a lack of form and not because they play a couple of games of football a week. I'm not saying players shouldn't be rested, but too much is made of our players supposedly being run into the ground when stats show that Wenger has rotated as much, if not more, than other top teams. I think we've used more players than City as well, who apparently have the mightiest squad ever assembled.

Except giroud hasn't been rotated much at all, played nearly every game and was clearly looking injured after half time.

This wasn't a normal 'giroud looking like he was in agony' he was actually limping when he walked into the pitch.

[KSE Comedy Club]

And giroud is out so could be to do with the knock he picked up in the last game

[McNamara That Ghost...]

We need to save football and give Tan's team a beating tbf.

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Apparently Phil Brown is going to be appointed tonight for the game tommorow. He has experience working with a tan.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Theo was in training today, guess it's a case of if he falls on his shoulder again.

Zelalem is back.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Dropping like flies.

Give Podolski a game. Somewhere. Even if it's up top.