Usually I hate to point out negative points after a win but there was one little incident that I noticed and that doesn't seem to have been picked up on. As we all know, the only thing that was really missing from yesterday's game (Apart from Suarez getting that eyesore of a mouth kicked in by Vermaelen) was a goal for Giroud. He missed two good chances, and for the first one he latched onto a Diaby through ball only to fire wide, with Gibbs ready to take it in a perhaps better position. Gibbs then preceded to berate Giroud, who was at this point on the floor with his head in his hands.
Gibbo, you seem a nice lad, but that's not on. What Giroud needs more than anything is support, patience, and time to improve, which I remain convinced he will. He doesn't need a 21 year old left-back telling him shouting in his ear and telling him how to do his job. Just because you can score against Shrewsbury and Aston Villa doesn't mean you would have done any better. It was a real lapse of professionalism IMO.
Think back to Anfield last season. Koscielny, who had been having his worst game since September, scored an own-goal which he was 100% at fault for. Szczesny, who had just seen his brilliant double-save undone, instead of doing the usual goalie perlava or jumping and raging like a demented leprechaun, simply picked Kos up, gave him a pat on the back and a few words in the ear. Kos then improved immeasurably in the 2nd half. I know Giroud may not speak much English but something similar would have done wonders. And when Giroud missed a header in the 2nd half, Mertesacker, being the cool, experienced head that he is, simply gave him a quick high-5 and a pat on the back.
The last player to have a go at a teammate for missing a chance was RvP, who confronted Ramsey after his last-minute miss vs. City last season. Adebayor had a go at Bendtner on pitch as well. And they both turned out to be s. Gibbs isn't like that, but not only is he young and needs to show more respect to our more experienced players but he is also a defender. He should concentrate on his job and let Giroud do his. God knows he's out of position enough to need the work. He would do well to remember that Giroud has the pressure of succeeding RvP as well as competition from Poldi. Gibbs has the legacy of the average Clichy and his competition, although lovable and very skilful, is not much cop defensively. And yet I couldn't see either Clichy and especially not Santos having a go at Giroud for that miss.
It was a shame I thought as otherwise we looked like a very cohesive and harmonious team.
Sorry, rant over.
Giroud/Gibbs
posted on 3/9/12
Gibbs' reaction showed that he lacks that bit of maturity. He should be aware of the pressure that Giroud is under, after van Persie's exploits of last season. The last thing that he needs is a left back telling him how to do his job.
Giroud made the right decision in trying to score, it isn't comparable to the Ramsey situation against City, as Ramsey really should have released van Persie.
posted on 3/9/12
If any of you play football then you can understand why gibbs got annoyed. Its the heat of the moment and Giroud misses a gd chance to put us 2 up when gibbs was there for a tap in. Its a natural reaction from gibbs, not a big deal.
posted on 3/9/12
On a side note anyone notice how different rvp interview was after the match? He never talked like that at arsenal. He seems to have the man utd arrogance in him already.
posted on 4/9/12
Gibbs should wind his neck in. He's a kid, he's not a striker, and given the mistakes he's made before (such as his costly tumble against United in the CL a couple of years back) he should get off Giroud's back. Giroud needs some backing to get him through his initial drought.
Although if he takes more than one more game, our glass-legged left back might have got himself injured again, in which case he won't be in a position to nark Giroud on pitch for a while.
posted on 4/9/12
posted on 4/9/12
^ ugh
Gibbs just overreacted in the moment because he wanted to score a goal in the prem
Giroud has the potential to put a few noses out of joint given he's a prettyboy striker but im sure everyone gets on just fine
posted on 4/9/12
Gibbs probably shouldn't have reacted like that but Giroud should of either passed or scored, the good thing is it wasn't costly. If they had equalised after him missing that there's a chance people would see it differently.
posted on 4/9/12
I dont know of he was giving out or just telling Giroud to get up and brush it off. He seemed to be trying to pick him up
I had the same impression. For me it seems to be like "come on move on the next goes in".
posted on 4/9/12
By all accounts Walcott/Gibbs/Giroud have been inseparable on the training pitch. They have become very good friends.
Giroud seems like a very arrogant player. I don't think he is a shrinking violet. Which is a good thing. Strikers have to be. To me Gibbs was cheering him up by picking him up of the floor. Not complaining.
Very pessimistic post and completely unnecessary.
posted on 4/9/12
"If any of you play football then you can understand why gibbs got annoyed. Its the heat of the moment and Giroud misses a gd chance to put us 2 up when gibbs was there for a tap in. Its a natural reaction from gibbs, not a big deal."
If you played football as well, you'd know how irritating it is to have your team mates on your back.