Arsenal’s Premier League Player of the Month for January

Name: Olivier Giroud
Position: Striker

Last Sunday’s thoroughly frustrating 1-0 home defeat to the hands of defending champions Chelsea drew a close to a below par month for Arsenal overall, but another profitable four-week period for star striker Olivier Giroud.

Despite now trailing surprise Premier League leaders Leicester City by three points, although level on points with second-placed Manchester City, the Gunners owe the France international a huge amount of gratitude for almost single-handedly keeping his side in this season’s title race.

The 29-year-old; who has 41 international caps for his country, found the back of the net twice in four league appearances throughout January, leaving him reliable for exactly half (50%) of Arsenal’s goals scored this month.

Granted that both of Giroud’s strikes came in the thrilling 3-3 draw Liverpool back on January 13, but Arsenal would be even further behind in their pursuit of winning their first Premier League title in 12 years if it wasn’t for the forward’s predatory finishes at Anfield just over a fortnight ago.

The former Montpellier hitman also assisted Laurent Koscielny’s winner against Newcastle United (1-0) at the very beginning of the month with an advancing header.

Furthermore; Giroud also got on the scoresheet in the Gunners’ 3-1 FA Cup win over Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium earlier this month, helping the striker continue his fine form in front of goal which manager Arsene Wenger will be hoping he can sustain until the end of the season.

The Frenchman now has 12 league goals in 23 games for Arsenal this campaign.