Over the summer, Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud was widely touted as being one of the exits, despite recently signing a new contract at the Emirates.
Linked with a move to Everton, the player himself has admitted he came very close to a move to Goodison Park, yet decided to stay with the Gunners to try and prove himself.
However, that decision appears to have backfired, as not only has Giroud’s situation at Arsenal improved, he’s also lost his starting role for the France national team, left on the bench by Didier Deschamps against Bulgaria.
Only playing 133 minutes in the Premier League so far, the 31-year-old has seen the likes of Danny Welbeck, Alexis Sanchez and new signing Alexandre Lacazette all start ahead of him, leaving many to question his decision to remain in London.
We covered what was being said in France about him after this weekend, and the conclusion was his spot for the World Cup, which even a few months ago wasn’t questioned, is now in serious jeopardy.
Yet, there is a simple remedy to all this, and that’s a move away in January, even if it is a loan.
And where better to do this than Everton, a club that is desperately trying to replace Lukaku, something they didn’t manage to do over the summer.
Lacking the Manchester United striker’s pace, the Arsenal man does have similar attributes, capable of holding up the play and finishing goals with ease.
It’s a win-win for all parties, as it would help both achieve their goals.
Ronald Koeman has struggled to get his new-look Everton side to click and find the back of the net regularly, and a firing Giroud, with a team built around him, could help him turn things around.
As for the striker, even regular time on the pitch would go a long way to convince Didier Deschamps to put him on that plane to Russia next summer.
Yes, Arsenal would lose a striker and a plan B, but with all the options currently at their disposal, would it be that much of a loss?
We don’t think so.
