Thierry Henry believes Arsenal can win the Premier League title with Olivier Giroud as their super-sub.
The French striker came off the bench to score Arsenal’s crucial second and third goals during Saturday’s 4-1 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
But he is unlikely to earn a place back in the Gunners’ starting XI with teammate Alexis Sanchez thriving in the striker’s role for Arsene Wenger’s side and Mesut Ozil, Alex Iwobi and Theo Walcott occupying the three positions behind him.
Henry, who won two titles with Arsenal, believes Giroud could be the difference if he is willing to accept a bit-part role at the Emirates.
“Yes he can be a plan B but I don’t know if he’s going to be happy coming off the bench but I think you win a title like that.” Henry told Sky Sports.
“[Manchester] United had [Ole Gunnar] Solskjaer and [Teddy] Sheringham, [Edin] Dzeko for [Manchester] City, we had Sylvain Wiltord so can he accept that to do that?
“We know the boss, Arsene Wenger, now likes to play with Alexis Sanchez inside and he came on and did the job and he did it very well.”
Henry added: “He (Giroud) is amazing in the air and that gives you another option. If you can have Sanchez in the middle and him coming off the bench or sometimes maybe you start him and Sanchez goes back outside or Sanchez goes around him but that’s more difficult because you’re playing Mesut Ozil.
“I think you have a different option but that’s great for the boss.”
Giroud himself nobly admitted the success of the team is more important than the amount of game time he gets.
“I’m just concentrating on what I have to do on the pitch. My time will come,” the 30-year-old Gunners striker said.
“Obviously I’d prefer to be on the pitch, but I came back late from the Euros. I was not fit enough to play first and then, unfortunately, after I had an annoying injury I needed to take my time to come back as soon as possible. I’m very pleased to come back now.”
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