Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has polarized opinion during his first season with the English Premier League club, which has seen him bang in 17 goals and grab 11 assists.
The Frenchman has shown plenty of good qualities, which Arsenal have been lacking in a center forward -- without taking into consideration Robin Van Persie of course.
Giroud holds the ball up well, brings the other Arsenal attackers into play and is a good header of the ball.
However, the one major aspect lacking in the striker is his finishing prowess. There is no doubt that the 26-year-old should have scored more goals this season, having missed quite a few sitters as the season has wore on.
Having said that though, it has been a pretty steady and solid, if not spectacular, debut season for Giroud, and the Frenchman believes it has been better than the ones enjoyed by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and Chelsea favorite Didier Drogba.
"I replaced Van Persie and when you arrive at a big club like that, they are very demanding towards you," Giroud is quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror. "The criticism has not always been deserved, but they push you on.
"Seventeen goals and 11 assists -- that is better than Henry and Drogba in their first seasons. This is the quality I have.
"I have got better with this team and this staff -- it is another level. And I want to continue to improve."
Henry, converted from a left winger by Arsene Wenger, scored 26 goals in 47 games in his debut season, while Drogba had 16 goals in 41 matches. Giroud has scored 17 in 46, and the Frenchman revealed he could have been playing for Bayern Munich this season instead of Arsenal.
"My agent spoke to them and it was approved by people at Bayern," he said. "But they wanted to wait for the Euros and (Mario) Mandzukic had a great Euros.
"To be pursued by Bayern, it is good. PSG? They are clearly very attractive but I am happy where I am."
The French international also does not believe Wenger will cross the channel and join PSG in the summer. "We are going to finish the season and then take stock," he added. "If we qualify for the Champions League, I don't see why he should leave.
"He built the club and made it grow. Arsenal is where it is because of him.
"He still has a year left and he wants to finish things. He will make his decision in good time. This is not the time to talk about him leaving."
Giroud has shown enough promise this season to suggest he will get better next year. But that should not stop Wenger from bringing in a proven goalscorer in the mould of a David Villa or Robert Lewandowski as the manager looks to take Arsenal back among the elite competing for trophies.
