Olivier Giroud’s high work rate and ability to “smell” situations have been key to the striker’s impressive form this season, according to his Arsenal teammate and compatriot Laurent Koscielny.
Giroud, 29, has scored nine times in his last 11 club appearances, including a vital Uefa Champions League hat-trick at Olympiakos and a twice against Liverpool in the Premier League.
In total, he has scored 18 goals in 32 games in all competition this season and Koscielny stressed the forward gives much more to the team than just those goals.
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“He’s so massive and that’s one of the best qualities for a striker. When he can play like this, with one or two touches and staying in the box, which is where we want him, we can score in the air,” Koscielny told the club website.
“I think Olivier has a work rate for the team which is very high. He’s not just a forward, he’s always there for free-kicks or corners against us.
“You can see now that he smells the situations well — when he needs to shoot quickly, or control the ball, like he did against Liverpool with his second goal.”
Arsenal continue their FA Cup defence hosting second tier side Burnley on Saturday and take on Southampton on Tuesday hoping to improve their third position in the Premier League table.
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