A last-ditch transfer bid for Arsenal back-up Olivier Giroud looks certain

I would be amazed if someone does not pick up the phone to Arsenal to make a final attempt to sign Olivier Giroud before the transfer window closes.

If you can keep a player like that as a back-up striker, you are in a fantastic position.

He is physically strong, he holds the ball up well, he brings others into the game and he scores goals.

We saw in the opening game against Leicester, when he scored the winner after coming off the bench, how important he can be.

The thing with Giroud is that I wouldn’t have him leading the line in any of the other top-six sides - so what does a player in this position prefer to do?

Would he rather stay at a club like Arsenal, where he might play fewer games but will have a better chance of winning trophies?

Or does he go to a lesser club where he will play every week?

It might sound unusual to players of my generation, but some footballers would rather play less and win more. Not everyone enjoys the pressure of having to perform every single week.

When the top clubs have such strong squads, life for a manager is not easy - though I realise they are paid handsomely for what they do.

Some of the decisions they have to make can be really taxing and draining.

Big clubs like to bring in new players and make a statement during transfer windows, but they sometimes overlook the players who are already at the club.

It is then left to the manager to try to handle unhappy players and maintain harmony within his squad.