Per Mertesacker has heaped praise on Arsenal team-mate Olivier Giroud and insists the French striker is crucial to the Gunners’ set-up.
Hard-working Giroud grabbed a goal as Arsene Wenger’s side went down to a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last night.
But despite the defeat, the Emirates outfit can take positives from their eye-catching second-half performance.
Giroud, a £10million capture in the summer of 2012 from Montpellier, has led the line for the Gunners this season with Wenger reluctant to rest him given the only other option up top at present is Nicklas Bendtner.
And German central defender Mertersacker acknowledges just how valuable a contribution Goiroud makes.
He said: “He is vital for us, and fits in completely to what we are doing. He’s a tall guy but technically well educated and the important thing is we can play on the ground with him.
“But when there is more pressure on us, we can put the ball in the air and he can hold it in a way that I have never seen. You can use him in different positions and angles. At the moment he is the one who fits the best up front. If he doesn’t score, he’ll make assists.”
Arsenal’s next test comes on Saturday when they travel to Selhurst Park to face lowly Crystal Palace in the Premier League and Giroud will once again be expected to spearhead the attack.
But he may well get some respite when Wenger shuffles his pack for the Capital One Cup game at the Emirates against Chelsea next Tuesday – Nicklas Bentdner is the likely replacement for that particular encounter.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
