Resigned to a cameo role for Arsenal for much of a last season, Olivier Giroud has still managed to find the back of the net with impressive regularity for the Gunners.
Giroud also continues to produce the goods on the international stage, and he was at it again on Friday night, netting an absolute screamer during France’s World Cup qualifying game away to Sweden.
On 37 minutes, with the game goalless, Giroud picked up the ball just inside the box. The striker then flicked up the ball before producing the most magnificent of volleys which arrowed into the top-corner.
Olivier Giroud is magic pic.twitter.com/E2eHeGgH1v
— Dylan Walsh (@dylanwalsh_) June 9, 2017
Giroud is elite! 17 goals in last 16 for France! And what a goal tonight…pic.twitter.com/DSlcgjXyCg
— The Arsenal (@DareToWenger) June 9, 2017
Magnifique!
That stunner was Giroud’s 26th for France, making him the joint-ninth top-scorer for Les Bleus.
119 – Only Just Fontaine has a better mins per goal rate (63) than Olivier Giroud (119) among the Top 10 goalscorers for France. Efficient. pic.twitter.com/FYFQToJvVo
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) June 9, 2017
While his lack of pace does sometimes inhibit Arsenal’s quick attacking style, the handsome devil remains a very, very good centre-forward, whatever his critics may say.
As for the game itself, Sweden would equalise before the break via Jimmy Durmaz.
Then, in the 93rd minute, a massive Hugo Lloris howler would be punished (expertly) by Ola Toivonen.
LOOOOOOL LLORIS pic.twitter.com/acYr6uSne5
— EmanDaGoon (@EmanDaGoonn) June 9, 2017
Oops!
The win for Sweden sees them leapfrog the French at the top of Group A, with goal difference separating the two sides.
(Table: BBC)