adminBIRMINGHAM. — Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger lauded Olivier Giroud after the French striker helped his side negotiate a potential banana skin with a 2-0 victory away to floundering Aston Villa. Giroud notched his 50th English Premier League goal with an early penalty as Arsenal went top of the table at Villa Park on Sunday, four days after his first hat-trick for the club had yielded a 3-0 victory at Olympiakos that sent Wenger’s side into the Champions League last 16.
The in-form France international has now found the back of the net 11 times in the last 13 matches to spearhead Arsenal’s push for honours on the domestic and European fronts.
“I believe Olivier is at the top of his game,” Wenger said. “He’s questioned some times, but the numbers get people to realise that he’s a quality player. “I think he’s improved technically and his link-up play is better. He may not have electric pace and he likes to play with his back to goal, so maybe he isn’t a spectacular individual.
“But he’s a very efficient and an important player for this team. He is also mentally very strong, too.” After Giroud struck from the spot, Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey netted in the 38th minute to give Arsenal a win that took them above Manchester City and Leicester City, who hosted Chelsea late last night.
“It has been a great week for us,” Wenger said. “But don’t worry, I’ve had my fair share of bad weeks already, so this balances itself out. “I was a bit anxious today (Sunday) because we had given a lot on Wednesday night and then we came back very, very late on Thursday morning.
“I knew that Villa were fighting for survival, so it was important to take the lead against a team low in confidence.
“The second half was more difficult for us and we had to defend well. Maybe we were lucky with one or two opportunities for Villa, but overall it was a controlled performance.”
And Giroud says he plans to keep hitting the target in Arsenal’s increasingly convincing Premier League title push after his “fantastic” week concluded on Sunday with another goal that helped the Gunners back to the top of the table.
The oft-maligned Frenchman, hailed by manager Wenger in the week as one of the deadliest marksman in Europe, received another hymn of praise from his manager after his early goal from the penalty spot in Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Aston Villa.
It was his 50th Premier League goal, a landmark which Giroud has reached in fewer games for the club than all but Arsenal titans Thierry Henry and Ian Wright. — AFP.
Online Reporter