Olivier Giroud

August

Olivier made his first appearances for the Club. The France international came off the bench against Sunderland before impressing with a battling physical display in the goalless draw at Stoke. “I think you need a little pressure,” he said. “There can be good pressure and there can be inhibitive, bad pressure that prevents you from expressing yourself on the field. I am ambitious but everywhere I go I need a little adjustment time before I am completely integrated."

September

Olivier played a part in all six of Arsenal's fixtures in September. The French striker scored his first goal against Coventry in the Capital One Cup. After that game he said: “This goal has taken the pressure off me. It’s done, I have my first goal. But it has to be the start of a beautiful adventure."

October

Olivier featured in every one of Arsenal’s fixtures during October. The striker scored his first Premier League goal against West Ham, before netting just two minutes after coming on as a substitute in the memorable win away at Reading. “I feel relieved now. It was very important for me to score in the Premier League, to keep going and start my adventure here with Arsenal,” the striker said after his goal at the Boleyn Ground.

November

Olivier excelled during November, playing in every game and scoring four goals. His headed brace against Fulham saw him named man of the match, an honour he also received for his performance against former club Montpellier. “What I like is that he has a good attitude and a good team spirit,” manager Arsene Wenger said. “He is ready to put his body on the line for the team. Once you have that and his qualities, you wouldn’t fix any limit for any player.”

December

Olivier started once and came on as a substitute three times during December. After missing the trips to Bradford and Wigan through injury and illness respectively, the French striker ended the month on a high, scoring a three-minute brace in the 7-3 win over Newcastle United.

January

Olivier was Arsenal’s top goalscorer in January, finding the net five times in the final three games of the month. The Frenchman followed up a brace against West Ham United with man of the match performances against Brighton and Hove Albion, where he scored another brace, and Liverpool. “He has been on fire in recent weeks and he is great to play with,” said Theo Walcott.

February

Olivier was selected for all of Arsenal’s games during the month. He came on as a substitute against Bayern Munich, and almost brought Arsenal level when he forced Manuel Neuer into a fine save.

March

Olivier was on target twice in March, scoring Arsenal’s opener in the win against Bayern Munich before drilling home from inside the area to help secure a 4-1 victory over Reading at the Emirates. “There's eight games to play and a lot of points to play for,” he said after the victory against the Royals. “I trust in our qualities. So I really think we can make fourth and maybe even third place if we continue to play like we did today.”

April

Olivier’s month ended prematurely after he was sent off in the dying stages of the win against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Prior to that, the striker had started against West Bromwich Albion, Everton and Norwich, where he bundled home from close range to give Arsenal the lead late on. “It's a harsh decision,” Arsene Wenger said after the Club’s unsuccessful appeal against Olivier’s red card. “After the game, I was a little bit less convinced that he didn't deserve the red card but having seen it again, I feel it's completely accidental and a very minor incident. That's why I decided to appeal. I'm sad that it didn't work but we have to cope with it.”