Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has polarized opinion ever since inking a deal with the English Premier League club last summer.
Some believe he is a really good target man, who can also chip in with a fair bit if goals; while others, who are not that kind, look at him as a big hulking striker unable to find the back of the net with any sort of regularity and a huge step down from Robin Van Persie.
There are valid points in both points of view of course, but at the end of the day, one thing is certain, Giroud is a really good squad player and an asset to any side, even if he might not be the No.1 striker that a side like Arsenal should be looking at.
The French international went from strength to strength as last season wore on, eventually ending up with pretty commendable statistics.
"I have scored fewer compared to last season in Montpellier but the ratio, minutes played to goals scored, is good," he told Arsenal's official website. "I scored 17 goals in all competitions and gave 10 assists which, for a first season in England, is good.
"I am happy with the stats. However, you can always do better and I know I can do better and there is a lot of room for improvement. That's why I'm already looking forward to next season."
The Gunners were out of the title race within the first ten games of the Premier League season last year and Giroud believes if they can make a flying start and keep up the pressure then they are certainly capable of challenging for the title.
"If we start better than we did this season, I know that we will compete for the title next year because we are used to playing together now and have improved as a team," he said. "We have also improved as individuals throughout the season, especially the newcomers like Santi (Cazorla), Lukas (Podolski) and me."
Giroud's signing was much expected last summer, with reports surrounding his capture continuing unabated as Euro 2012 went on in full swing. The 26-year-old eventually made it official after France were knocked out of the Euros, and Giroud admitted it was quite a feeling.
"Just after the Euros, I came over with my wife and my agents to see the training ground and to sign my contract," he recalled. "At the time, I hadn't seen the boss (Arsene Wenger) yet as he was still in Ukraine so Dick Law welcomed me to sign the contract. Then I went on holidays.
"I left very excited indeed! I was happy to have a break after a long season. I wanted to really savor what I had achieved that season -- winning the title with Montpellier, being a part of the national team and my arrival at Arsenal too.
"But the closer I got to preseason, the more excited I was. I couldn't not think about it."
Arsenal are in the market for a striker this summer, with the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Wayne Rooney and David Villa linked heavily with a move.
Gooners around the world will be hoping Giroud does not do a Chamakh and lose his form alarmingly; the signs point the opposite way and if he can improve his 17-goal haul considerably next season, then only good can come from it for Arsenal.
