Olivier Giroud proved that he’s the antithesis of Petr Cech as he coolly scored his 15th penalty against BATE Borisov on Thursday evening.
Out of the 16 penalties Giroud’s had to take during the course of his career, starting at Tours almost a decade ago, the striker has netted 15 of them. That means he’s scored 93.75% of all his spot-kicks.
On Thursday evening, the 31-year-old was forced to take his penalty against BATE Borisov twice and he scored both times.
The France international’s scored seven out of eight since his move from Montpellier to north London in 2012. At his former Ligue 1 club, he netted five out of five and at Tours he slotted home three in three.
Giroud makes it 5-0 from the spot. Forced to retake the penalty, but scores both times pic.twitter.com/dQEnaev8no
— Terje (@xArsenalTerje) December 7, 2017
The only penalty miss of his entire career came against Coventry City in the League Cup back in September 2012, not long after he’d joined Arsenal. It was his first spot-kick in red and white and I’m guessing the nerves got the better of him.
The Gunners went on to win 6-1 anyway.
Giroud’s phenomenal penalty record is in complete contrast to Petr Cech’s.
Although the 35-year-old is on the receiving end of the spot-kicks, it still takes a similar level of skill, determination and nerve.
Cech, however, has failed to save any of the 13 penalties he’s been in goal for at Arsenal.
In total, over the course of his career, he’s saved 16 and failed to save 54.