Rio Ferdinand feels that Arsenal are a changed team this season thanks to the options they have on the bench, as per reports in Daily Star.
The North London club managed to snatch a point from Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday, after French striker Olivier Giroud came off the bench to score a towering header late in the game to make it 1-1.
Wenger brought on the striker around the 75 minute mark to get the Gunners back into the game after the Red Devils took the lead virtue of Juan Mata.
The Frenchman has made an impact coming off the bench for the Emirates club and has already scored three goals doing so, after failing to start a single League game this season.
The former Manchester United star suggests that the Gunners would have lost the game in normal circumstances and they should be happy with the draw. Speaking to BT Sport, he said:
Arsenal normally would have lost that game. They would have been sent back down the motorway with their tail between their legs.
But they’ve nicked a point, and I think they can be happy with that.
Ferdinand believes the difference for the North London club this season has been that they have a Plan B in the form Giroud, who can come on and make an impact. He added:
What they have now is a Plan B. They’re in to this tippy-tappy football – getting the ball into Ozil and Sanchez doing his bits, with other people running off and doing their bit.
But they can go their and throw Giroud on. How many times this season has he come and scored goals?
That’s got them a valuable point there. I think it’s a great point for them.
With Sanchez starting upfront Giroud has found it difficult to break into the starting line-up this season, but the French striker has managed to create impact coming off the bench with Sunderland and United game being the prime examples.
It will be crucial for Giroud to continue his good run considering the injury concerns surrounding Sanchez and Perez already nursing an injury. With the crucial festive season fixtures coming the Gunners would need much more from the French striker to keep the title challenge going.
What do you say guys?
