Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring for Arsenal on Saturday in his side's Premier League win over Liverpool. John Sibley / Reuters / Action Images / April 4, 2015
Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring for Arsenal on Saturday in his side's Premier League win over Liverpool. John Sibley / Reuters / Action Images / April 4, 2015

Numbers tell the tale: Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud outclassing Diego Costa and Harry Kane



A blistering start to life in England saw Diego Costa hit seven goals in his opening four appearances for Chelsea back in August, making himself and his new club the early favourites for Premier League honours in his debut season in England.

Fast forward 26 games and Chelsea are cantering towards the title and Costa is still the division’s most prolific scorer with 19 goals, although it is a spot he shares with Tottenham’s Harry Kane, a player who did not score his first Premier League goal until November 2.

Costa’s latest hamstring injury puts Kane firmly in the driving seat to finish the Premier League’s top scorer in his first season as a bona fide starter, but a more detailed look into the division’s strike force reveals an alternative candidate with a claim to being labelled the most deadly.

Of players to have netted five or more goals this season, no one has found the back of the net more frequently than Arsenal's Olivier Giroud. The French frontman, who missed the best part of three months earlier in the season due to injury, boasts a return of 0.87 goals per 90 minutes, the highest in the Premier League.

Despite seven goals in his last six appearances, the slick Giroud still has five goals fewer than his Chelsea and Tottenham counterparts, but while he is unlikely to topple that duo to finish as Golden Boot winner, the rate at which he has scored his goals is more impressive than Costa’s 0.84 and Kane’s 0.81. If we exclude goals scored from penalties, Kane’s goalscoring rate falls to 0.73.

While Giroud has inspired an Arsenal resurgence since returning from his lay-off, another player who would have liked to have seen more playing time this season is Newcastle’s 11-goal forward, Papiss Cisse. The Senegalese international has been plagued by injury and suspension this season, yet has delivered 0.82 non-penalty goals for every 90 minutes he has spent on the pitch, ranking him the third most prolific striker just behind Giroud and Costa.

While Cisse would be the surprise inclusion on this list, one name is conspicuous by its absence. You would be forgiven for expecting Sergio Aguero to feature in any discussion of predatory strikers, but the Manchester City forward falls short of his rivals when comparing non-penalty goals per 90 minutes. The Argentine may have 17 goals to his name this season, making him a credible contender for the Golden Boot, but excluding his five penalties sees Aguero’s strike rate fall from 0.75 to 0.58 goals per 90 minutes – well behind the rate maintained by Costa, Kane and Giroud.

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Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage

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Credit Score explained

What is a credit score?

In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.

Why is it important?

Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.

How is it calculated?

The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.

How can I improve my score?

By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.

How do I know if my score is low or high?

By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.

How much does it cost?

A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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In numbers

1,000 tonnes of waste collected daily:

  • 800 tonnes converted into alternative fuel
  • 150 tonnes to landfill
  • 50 tonnes sold as scrap metal

800 tonnes of RDF replaces 500 tonnes of coal

Two conveyor lines treat more than 350,000 tonnes of waste per year

25 staff on site

 

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

MATCH INFO

England 2
Cahill (3'), Kane (39')

Nigeria 1
Iwobi (47')

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