Arsenal boss: RVP’s replacements scored three more goals last year, but it doesn’t work like that

Monday, August 20, 2012
7:52 AM

Arsene Wenger is confident that Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski can fire the Gunners to victory

Arsenal's Lukas Podolski during the Barclays Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture: Jon Buckle/PA Wire

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that his new striker pairing of Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud can fill the Robin van Persie shaped void.

The Dutchman left the Gunners to join Manchester United leaving the north Londoners with the French and German strikers.

Neither found the target on their debut against Sunderland but Wenger remains confident that they will succeed.

“You cannot conclude on one game, but we knew before we started [that it would be difficult to replace Van Persie’s goals],” he said.

“Podolski and Giroud together scored 40 last year, so we have a credit of three, but unfortunately it does not work like that.

“Overall I am happy with the spirit we have shown, but the frustration is that we are used to more creativity. That was the big miss.”