Is discarding Olivier Giroud to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a risk worth taking?

In Arsenal’s desperation to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang it appears they are willing to let Olivier Giroud move in the other direction.

In many respects allowing the Frenchman to depart for Borussia Dortmund is a logical move.

It will immediately free up space in Arsenal’s attack for their new signing, Giroud gets his wish for more playing time and it smooths the path to landing the most high-profile player since the Gunners signed Mesut Ozil.

But have Arsenal fully thought it through?

Giroud is arguably among the most under-appreciated players in the Premier League – at least based on the stats.

His goals-to-minutes ratio is regularly among the highest in Europe and his ability to find the net can’t be questioned – sometimes in spectacular fashion. In two of the last four seasons he was Arsenal’s top scorer in the Premier League – and the other two years was second behind Alexis Sanchez.

This season he’s hardly played – but he’s still managed to get among the goals. He’s scored four Premier League goals from 361 minutes of action and found the net three times in six Europa League appearances.

He’s developed into something of a ‘super-sub’ at Arsenal, a role understood to be behind his readiness to leave the Emirates. But his effectiveness off the bench can’t be underplayed. In 2017 Giroud scored 10 goals after the 80th minute. This season he’s come off the bench to score a winner against Leicester and an equaliser against Southampton. The latter of those goals saw him draw level with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s record as the most prolific substitute for a single club.

Part of Giroud’s appeal coming off the bench is he offers Arsenal a genuine ‘Plan B’. His height, physicality and aerial ability offer Wenger something totally different to the alternative options. They are also arguably the ideal attributes when chasing a goal in the last few minutes of a match.

There is some concern that Aubameyang is an incredibly similar player to current lead striker Alexandre Lacazette. Both play as the central striker, relying on their pace and finishing ability to score. Whether Wenger will find a way to play them together isn’t yet clear – but if he rotates them they will offer little different to one another.

There is something tired about Arsenal turning to Giroud in the latter stages of games when needing a goal – a sight that has run parallel to the malaise currently engulfing the Gunners. But is that not preferable to having no option at all?

A sound argument can be made for wanting to avoid the inevitable fall-out that would come from trying to keep three central strikers happy – particularly in a World Cup year. Arsenal do however have a potentially taxing run in the Europa League on the horizon which could provide opportunities.

It’s notable though that no other top-six club has more than two top-class central striker options at their disposal.

Perhaps allowing Giroud to leave is a sign of Arsenal moving on, the Frenchman’s style no longer fits with the way Arsenal are trying to play. Although the move towards an XI bursting with fast, agile players ironically comes at a time when Chelsea are desperately seeking a ‘big-man’ to add to their armour. Using a physically imposing striker is also favoured by Manchester United and Tottenham. It beggars the question if Arsenal are heading down the right path.

Letting Giroud leave will feel like the end of an era for Arsenal, particularly with Theo Walcott – the club’s longest serving player – having already been sold to Everton this month. Considering the club are on a downward slide, a new approach might be considered a good thing.

But there is no denying Giroud offers something Aubameyang can’t – and a skill set that is highly coveted elsewhere. And for a club scoring fewer goals than they managed last season (1.87 goals-per-game to 2.16) – allowing a player with a proven ability at scoring goals in the Premier League is undoubtedly a risk.

Arsenal will have to hope that Aubameyang hits the ground running – in which case Giroud’s departure will quickly be justified. But if not, serious questions will be asked about Arsenal’s new bold approach to the transfer market.

MORE : After Leeds United change their badge, were these new crests an upgrade or a mistake?