West Ham United 0-0 Arsenal: 5 Talking Points

#4 Olivier Giroud fails to deliver

Giroud failed to impress in his first league start of the season

After scoring a glancing header against Southampton, Olivier Giroud finally started his first league game this season. Giroud has been impressive coming off the bench and was longing for a chance to impress from the first minute. His opportunity arrived against the Hammers but sadly for the Frenchman, he could not make the most of it.

With West Ham sitting deep, Arsenal could not play a style which is favourable to Giroud's strengths. The Gunners attempted just 23 crosses in the game, the majority of which was not won by the striker. Arsenal have impressed this season when they have displayed pace, aggression and off the ball movements in their positions to have more options going forward.

The Gunners lacked that against West Ham with the style which brings out the best of Arsenal not being a strong point for Olivier Giroud. With him up front, Arsenal's attack looked blunt going forward in the first half. The second half brought some urgency to their cause but Giroud could not be more influencing on either side of the break.

He has been a consistent performer for this Arsenal side but his lacklustre display made the Gunners miss Alexander Lacazette in this game. Giroud has become Arsenal's Plan B after the arrival of Lacazette and he has to move next month if he intends to become a club's Plan A.