Arsenal Transfer News: Olivier Giroud Will Bring Gunners to Top of League

Arsenal are on the cusp of acquiring Montpellier's Olivier Giroud and will be paying somewhere in the range of £13 million for the star forward, according to The Guardian.

Whatever funds the Gunners' management must fork over for the 25-year-old French striker are worth it, because he would do nothing but help carry the team to the top of the Premier League.

This move looks to be an insurance acquisition in preparation for the possible departure of Robin van Persie, but it could also be a case of the rich getting richer.

Van Persie's father recently said that his son would not leave the Gunners for the likes of Barcelona, Manchester City or Real Madrid. That declaration doesn't leave the Dutch forward with many options in the future, as few other clubs can provide him with the combination of financial flexibility and illustrious reputation that Arsenal has.

It isn't the foregone conclusion that most Arsenal faithful would like it to be, but signs point to RVP's return being within the realm of possibility at the very least. Although we won't know until at least after the European Championship.

If van Persie does return to the Emirates, the Gunners would have two star attackers that play the same position. It could be worked out, as Arsene Wenger knows what to do in these types of situations, but it could be sticky at first. But once all the kinks are worked out, the two could be an unstoppable offensive juggernaut.

Both players are some of the best in the world when it comes to unleashing long-range shots with pinpoint accuracy. The duo would embarrass the competition with their finishing and key passing ability.

What Giroud has that van Persie does not is the world-class ability to use his head to find the back of the net. At 6'4", Giroud will constantly be able to overwhelm smaller defenders in the box on crosses and set pieces.

That gives the Gunners a man who can make his own shot and finish off the dribble, as well as an attacker who can use his head to win the aerial battles in the box.

Even if van Persie declines to come back to the club next term, Lukas Podolski will be wearing an Arsenal jersey next season. With or without RVP, he can act as a facilitator for Giroud in the attacking third.

At just 25 years old, Giroud may prove to be a fixture at the Emirates for years to come if he meets success in his first season with the club.

He scored 21 goals and notched nine assists in Ligue 1 last season, and albeit against competition less than the Premier League, he won't have a problem adjusting to his new environment.