Arsene Wenger Relieved as Olivier Giroud Opens Account In 6-1 Arsenal Win

Thursday, 27th September, 2012

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger saw his side rip apart Coventry City in the League Cup last night and instantly saluted French striker Olivier Giroud’s first goal for the club.

Coventry struggled to live with the Premier League giants at the Emirates Stadium and Giroud opened the scoring in the 39th minute.

relatedNewsStory The 1-0 half time scoreline gave precious clue as to how the match would end up, but the floodgates opened when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain added a second with 57 minutes on the clock.

Quickly Andrei Arshavin got in on the act (63rd minute) before Theo Walcott scored (74th minute). Coventry did find a consolation, through Callum Ball, before Arsenal scored again through Miquel, and Walcott completed the rout, ending the game with a 6-1 final score.

While such a goal-fest was welcome for Wenger, as was the sight of Arsenal progressing into the next round of the League Cup, the big positive from the night was Giroud’s goal.

The France international, who joined Arsenal in the summer from Montpellier, having top scored in Ligue 1 last season, had not found the back of the net for the Gunners before last night.

And Wenger admitted it was important he did so.

"It was in everybody’s mind that the sooner he gets it the better. Certainly in his mind much more than in others’ minds", Wenger told his club’s official site.

"That is positive of course. It was a good finish and he is a good finisher, Olivier.

"At the moment I believe he is looking for confidence again and that goal will help him. I expect him to take that confidence into the Premier League."

Arsenal have been drawn to face Reading away in the next round of the League Cup, a match which is sure to present Wenger’s men with a sterner test.

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