Why 21 Goals Is a Realistic Aim for Arsenal's Olivier Giroud in 2015/16 EPL

As things stand, Olivier Giroud will begin the season as Arsenal’s first-choice striker. Should that remain the case, he should be aiming to break the 20-goal barrier for the first time in his Premier League career.

Speculation continues to suggest that Arsenal are in the market for a new centre-forward. Most recently, James Orr of the Independent reported on a post on Karim Benzema’s Instagram account that had Arsenal fans salivating at the prospect of the French international arriving at the Emirates Stadium:

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Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has sent delirious Arsenal fans into a frenzy after posting a cryptic Instagram message from what appears to be a private jet hinting he was leaving Real, and he then followed an account called Wengerland soon after.

The France international was in China with the rest of his Real Madrid team-mates ahead of their pre-season international Champions Cup tour, but posted a photo of himself on a private jet accompanied with the caption, translated from French to English: "Leave the past to the past. #directionfuture”.

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Normally such a source for a story would be instantly dismissed, but Arsenal fans will give Instagram more credence than most: A matter of days ago, Wojciech Szczesny beat the press to the punch by following a number of Roma players on the social media site. Within a week he had signed for the Serie A club on loan.

Giroud will be paying close attention to the rumours. The arrival of Benzema would be a huge issue for him. Not only would it relegate him to second choice at Arsenal, but it would effectively guarantee he remained behind his compatriot in the international pecking order too.

If Giroud is to dissuade Wenger from acquiring a new striker, he needs a strong start to the season—and that means goals.

IAN KINGTON/Getty Images

Last year, Giroud overcame a broken leg to score 14 goals in 27 Premier League appearances*. That means he averaged 0.68 goals per 90 minutes. 

Playing every Premier League game is likely to be beyond even a striker as physically robust as Giroud, but even if he plays just 30 of the 38 available fixtures, scoring at that rate would see him notch at least 21 goals.

Every year, his rate of scoring in the Premier League has increased. With that in mind, he may even be able to improve his conversion statistics in 2015/16. It’s often said that title-winning teams need a 30-goal striker. That may prove to be too big an ask for Giroud, but a tally in the low 20s ought to be achievable—especially when you consider the quality of service from the likes of Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla.

David Rogers/Getty Images

It’s important to remember that goals aren't the only contribution he makes to the team. His intelligent link play also creates chances for others, and his aerial power makes him useful for set pieces at either end of the pitch. However, strikers will always primarily be judged on their goal return.

If Giroud can break the 20-goal barrier, he will silence many of his critics. Crucially, he may also be able to safeguard his Arsenal future. Even if Arsenal cannot snare Benzema this summer, it will take a stellar season from Giroud to prevent Wenger recruiting a similar calibre of striker in the summer of 2016.

*all stats via Squawka

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout 2015/16. Follow him on Twitter here.