People have an awful memory if they think first season Giroud was the same as second season Giroud. There was a massive transformation. Since then, he's been more or less the same player.

As Qwiss said, maybe in another thread, that he's another player in his second seasons doesn't mean that he improved. If we ever get Xhaka to play like he did in Bundesliga, that doesn't mean that we have improved Xhaka.

That's the thing. He definitely improved as a player - he was struggling to physically impose himself the first year in duels as well. How much that is down to our coaching and how much to how every player improves with experience is another issue

What I mean is that I too think he was better in his second season, but I didn't watch him in Ligue 1 so for all I know maybe season 2-Giroud is the player he was before he joined as well.

Giroud has definitely improved massively during his stay here, and the key point is that he got the time to do it. I don't see what's so controversial about giving Wenger credit for that. I doubt many other managers at this level would have put so much effort into his development.

That's because other managers are actually under pressure to win.

Not saying it's right, but as always the truth is somewhere in the middle. Wenger has wasted more than a couple of seasons because he gambled too heavily on key players making individual improvements or refused to bring in competition that would have possibly taken away some of the playing time from said players. Clearly valuing developing his players more than winning trophies.

FEBravo wrote:

That's the thing. He definitely improved as a player - he was struggling to physically impose himself the first year in duels as well. 

Like most strikers when they move to the PL. I don't think Wenger gets any great credit for Giroud adapting to the league after a few months.

4 days later

Was this guy only seen as quick by ligue 1 standards? He's looked only marginally quicker than giroud to me. Always getting reigned in by defenders too easily

He looked really slow against Chelsea.

He has shocking support around him but he really has shades of Joel Campbell about him except without those delicious reverse through balls.

Lacazette has surprised me by how good a technical footballer he is, after being told by all the hipsters that he was not a very good ‘footballer’, but his ability as a goal scorer has been underwhelming. Doesn’t make great runs in the box and his finishing is pretty hit and miss.

At the moment looks like he’s a bit fatigued. Premiership is relentless.

Tim-bob wrote:

Lacazette has surprised me by how good a technical footballer he is,

Despite a dodgy first touch?

I think he's adapted poorly, but it also doesn't help that he's often a different wavelength from the midfield.

The number 9 curse continues. Luckily it won't be placed on Aubameyang.

What happened to our number 9?

He'll be okay - needs a good rest.

Curse od the number 9 strikes again. This guy's looking like a flop.

He's probably addicted to benzos.

looks completely busted. the combination of the english winter and our horrid play seems to have sucked the life out of the guy. this kind of thing used take at least 1 season, but he's looked done in after 3 months 😆