Olivier Giroud has admitted that although he’s pleased to score for Arsenal, the team really needs to stop starting so poorly.

The big striker has scored seven Premier League goals so far this season, which may sound like a low tally compared to Alexis Sanchez, who’s scored 15. However, when you take into consideration the amount of times the France international has bailed us out, you realise exactly how important he is this Arsenal team.

An 89th-minute equaliser against Manchester United; 86th-minute winner against West Brom; a 90+2nd-minute equaliser against Bournemouth. Plus, an 89th-minute winner away to Preston in the FA Cup. Giroud has dug Arsenal out of trouble more times than anyone would like to admit. In fact, even the player himself admits that although he likes helping the team, we need to stop starting so poorly.

“I’ve always tried to bring something to the team and I was very pleased to score important goals, especially in the final minutes,” the 30-year-old told Arsenal Player. “But as I’ve said before, we need to be stronger at the beginning of the games because I’m not going to score goals in the last minute every week!”

Giroud’s right and I’m glad that he’s modest enough to realise that he’s doing good for the team but the team shouldn’t be repeatedly getting into this position. You want players who are going to dig in when you need them and grind out a winner or equaliser against the odds. However, what you don’t want is the rest of your team always having to rely on them to bail you out.