Comparing Olivier Giroud's 2014/15 Stats to His 2013/14 Numbers

Olivier Giroud’s outstanding form has been a key part of Arsenal’s resurgence in the second half of the season. Since returning from a fractured leg in November, he has been utterly irrepressible. 

That’s why it was so surprising to see him criticised by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry recently. During a shift as a television pundit for Sky Sports (h/t the Guardian), Henry said Giroud “does a job but you can’t win the league [with him].”

That may have been true of the old Giroud, but this season he has looked like a different player. The arrival of Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez seems to have lit a fire under the Frenchman, who has responded to the increased competition by producing the best form of his career. Appearances are not deceiving: The numbers back up his improvement.

In previous campaigns, Giroud has been justifiably criticised for not being prolific enough for a striker playing with an elite team. However, he’s put those perceptions to bed by finding his form in front of goal this year.

In 2013/14, he was almost ever-present, missing just two Premier League games. Those 36 appearances yielded some 16 goals. At this stage of 2014/15, he is just two goals away from matching that tally. However, his injury lay-off means he’s hit that total in just 22 appearances.

That means he’s managed 0.84 goals per 90 minutes, which is a vast improvement on the 0.47 goals per game he hit last term. Giroud’s goalscoring ratio has almost doubled. It’s a dramatic improvement.

The secret is simple: He’s testing the goalkeeper more regularly. He’s also shooting with a greater frequency. In 2013/14, he averaged 3.29 shots every 90 minutes, but this season it’s 3.60. That’s explained by two factors: Firstly, Arsenal’s improving creative potential, and secondly, Giroud’s growing confidence. He is more willing to take on opportunities than ever before.

When he does take a shot at goal, he is more accurate. Last season he hit the target with 43 per cent of his shots. Now that ratio has risen to 53 per cent. The wayward shooting that once haunted Giroud has become increasingly infrequent.

Giroud has always been more than a goalscorer, and that much is evident in the statistics. In 2013/14, he fashioned 1.09 chances per 90 minutes. That number has risen to 1.44 in 2014/15.

That demonstrates that his development has been about more than his strike rate. He has become more aware and more adept at fashioning opportunities for his team-mates. Giroud has never been reliant on his pace, so by harnessing the mental aspect of his game, he could yet get better.

Giroud has made an all-round improvement to become one of the most effective strikers in the Premier League. Henry’s assertion seems unfounded: If Giroud can stay fit throughout next season, he will surely be a major asset to Arsenal in any title challenge.

All stats via Squawka

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout the 2014-15 season. Follow him on Twitter here.