Alexis Sanchez Scores, but Olivier Giroud Turns the Game for Arsenal

EMIRATES STADIUM, LONDON — Alexis Sanchez will inevitably grab the headlines after another crucial goal helped the Gunners past Southampton. However, it would be remiss to hail Sanchez alone. This match swung on the introduction of Olivier Giroud, whose contribution to the game's final stages deserves at least as much praise.

It was something of a surprise that Giroud did not start the match. At West Brom, his intelligent hold-up play had provided a useful fulcrum for Danny Welbeck and Sanchez on the flanks. However, with Arsene Wenger perhaps wary of overusing a player just returning from a long lay-off, Giroud dropped to the bench with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain taking his place in the team.

Without him, Arsenal lacked the fluidity in attack they had displayed at the Hawthorns. What's more, they were coming up against a goalkeeper in inspired form. Fraser Forster had already produced a stunning first-half save to deny a deflected Welbeck header.
In the second half, with the game seemingly headed towards a 0-0 draw, the anxious crowd began chanting for Giroud. Instantly, Wenger concurred, turning to Steve Bould and telling him to send for the towering Frenchman.

His impact was immediate. First, a well-struck drive stung Forster's palms. Then, an ingenious flick set up a chance for Welbeck, only for Forster to produce another stupendous save.
However, the pressure was steadily mounting. With Giroud offering the team a robust focal point, Arsenal suddenly found new angles for attack. As momentum grew, Southampton suffered a killer blow. Toby Alderweireld succumbed to a hamstring injury, but Ronald Koeman had already used all three substitutions. The Saints were down to 10 men. Eventually, the fabulous Forster was beaten.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2288665-alexis-sanchez-scores-but-olivier-giroud-turns-the-game-for-arsenal