Premier League: Suarez speculation brings best out in Giroud
AT EMIRATES STADIUM
ARSENAL 1 vs TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0
ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger believes a summer of speculation linking Liverpool striker Luis Suarez with a £40m move to the Emirates Stadium has helped north London derby match-winner Olivier Giroud find his best form.
The France star scored his fourth goal of the season in yesterday’s narrow win over Spurs.
And Wenger believes continued speculation linking him with a move for Suarez has fired up Giroud.
“You spent a lot of time this summer trying to find us a striker and maybe that woke something up in him,” he said. “Technically he was good, had a huge physical presence and looks like he has the exceptional quality of a real centre forward.”
The Gunners took the lead on 23 minutes when Giroud nipped in ahead of Spurs defender Michael Dawson to turn in Theo Walcott’s cross from close range.
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Spurs piled on the pressure in search of the equaliser late in the second half, however goalkeeper
Wojciech Szczesny was on hand to deny substitutes Jermain Defoe and Erik Lamela, as the Gunners held on for the points.
Wenger was delighted with performance of his team, which he has reinforced this season signing two free agents. However, the Frenchman insists he is not scared to spend money with Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil on his radar.
“I’m ready to pay what we can afford. Even if it is a bit over the market, as long as it is not crazy, I’m not against spending,” he said.
“We need one or two super players and we’ve tried to add that. With 24 more hours maybe we can surprise you.”