Gunners go for Griezmann in bid to ease Giroud’s goal burden

Real Sociedad’s Antoine Griezmann went through a spell in La Liga earlier this season, from October to January, scoring 11 goals in 10 games from the wing, and his performances have now attracted Arsenal.

The Gunners are still in the title race but are now 20/1 to win the Premier League, despite being only four points off top, following their 1-0 loss to Stoke City.

Frenchman Griezmann has played for Sociedad his whole professional career and, now at the age of 22, his consistent performances could lead to a big-money transfer in the summer. He is reported to be valued at around £25m.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted his interest in Griezmann, and has been quoted in the French press as saying: “We follow him in great detail. That should not come as a surprise because he attracts other clubs as well. But we follow him, he is a known commodity.”

This season alone he has managed 15 goals in 24 league games so far, including scoring and setting one up in the recent 3-1 victory over Barcelona, and all those primarily from the left wing position. He incredibly has a ratio of of a goal for every 126 minutes played in La Liga this season, due to being substituted off fairly regularly.

With Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud under a lot of pressure this season without much goal-scoring backup, since the injuries of Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott, the addition of Griezmann would surely ease the burden on his compatriot.

After his strong form, Griezmann has been given his maiden call-up to the French national setup, as his country face the Netherlands at the Stade de France on March 5th. He has only previously gained youth caps, but is now well in contention to make the 23-man squad for Brazil.

Griezmann’s impressive displays last season of 10 goals in 34 matches led to Sociedad finishing fourth in the league and qualify for the Champions League. His side finished bottom of their group, which featured Manchester United, and are currently sixth in La Liga – seven points off fourth place – so now maybe the time for the young star to make the next step up.

The Red Devils have also been linked with Griezmann, but face competition from Real Madrid, PSG and Juventus.