Olivier Giroud's Arsenal Return Poses Selection Dilemma for Arsene Wenger

A dilemma is approaching for Arsene Wenger. With the news that Olivier Giroud has made a return to training, the Arsenal boss will soon have to make a decision about who is his first-choice centre-forward.

It’s not an easy call, but Wenger will be pleased to have to make it. This is one of those quintessential "good problems to have" that you sometimes hear managers talking about. Wenger is blessed with options and variety in his attacking roster. It's a welcome quandary.

It's a close fight, too. Arsenal.com recently conducted a poll asking who should be tasked with leading the line once Giroud is back. The results were as follows:

Stats via Arsenal.com

One thing is certain: Whether Arsenal play 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1, Alexis Sanchez starts. His superb performances have made him the first name on the team-sheet. It's impossible to conceive of an Arsenal XI without the charismatic Chilean.

However, his best performances for the club have come when playing with a foil. When asked to play up top alone, such as at Goodison Park, he has struggled. Whether Sanchez plays on the wing or through the middle, he will need someone else up there alongside him.

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Danny Welbeck has a head start. He and Alexis have already struck up a good partnership, and the England international seems to have earned the respect of the former Barcelona man. Speaking to Spanish paper AS (h/t HITC Sport), Alexis said:

"

Sometimes I stop to look my teammates in practice and I realise that I'm surrounded by a lot of quality. I have been impressed by the attitude and talent.

I love playing with [Welbeck]. He has a very nice touch and is a goalscorer. He has been a great signing.

"

Although Welbeck has not been prolific in recent games—he has failed to score in each of his last five Arsenal appearances—his speed and movement make him an effective ally for Alexis. They combined to devastating effect against Swansea, with Welbeck sweeping up the field before cutting back for his team-mate to fire home.

Giroud would provide Alexis with more contrast than affinity. What he lacks in speed, he makes up for in strength. Welbeck is a roving target, whereas Giroud provides more of a pivot.

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In the first few weeks of his comeback, Giroud is likely to begin on the bench. Wenger has taken a cautious approach when it's come to reintroducing Theo Walcott to the team, and Giroud will be no different.

He'll certainly provide an effective Plan B. Against Swansea, Wenger was forced to throw on Yaya Sanogo to try and grab a goal. Bringing Giroud on in a game's latter stages is an entirely different prospect.

If he impresses in his cameos, Giroud could yet become Plan A once again. In the likes of Alexis, Welbeck, Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arsenal have an abundance of rapid runners. They may need someone to offer a focal point and help knit them together. Giroud has the hold-up game to do that.

It promises to be an intriguing battle for supremacy between Welbeck and Giroud. Wenger will hope the competition can bring the best out of each of them. Arsenal may be struggling for personnel at the back, but the manager now has the luxury of choice up top.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and will be following the club from a London base throughout the 2014/15 season. Follow him on Twitter here.