World Cup: Arsene Wenger thinks Olivier Giroud and Julian Alvarez could be unlikely heroes in final

Arsene Wenger believes that Sunday’s World Cup final could be more about unlikely heroes Olivier Giroud and Julian Alvarez rather than headliners Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.

Argentina and France will lock horns in Sunday’s World Cup Final and it’s been billed as the battle between Paris Saint-Germain heavyweights Messi and Mbappe, who have been the standout stars of the tournament. 

However, former Arsenal boss has earmarked their strike partners as two possible players who could decide the fate of the tournament’s showpiece. 

Arsene Wenger has backed Julian Alvarez and Olivier Giroud to be unlikely heroes on Sunday 

‘Of course, two players are under pressure to deliver a special thing in the final.’ said Wenger.

‘That is Mbappe on the French side and Messi, certainly more than ever, [is under pressure] to deliver something special for Argentina. Both teams show as well what the tournament can be. 

‘Two very influential and important players in both sides have been Giroud, who was not expected to be there at the start of the tournament, and on the other side Alvarez, who as well made his position during the tournament.

Both Olivier Giroud and Julian Alvarez have been standout stars of the tournament in Qatar 

‘Both of them have been very, very influential and will certainly have an important part to play, but they maybe didn’t expect at the start of the competition to play in there.’

Giroud and Alvarez have both netted four goals a piece in Qatar, one behind joint leaders Messi and Mbappe, yet both were not expected to play massive parts for their country at the start of the tournament. 

AC Milan striker Giroud has been the beneficiary of injuries to both Karim Benzema and Christopher Nkunku and led the France line during the tournament, breaking Thierry Henry’s goal-scoring record for the national team along the way. 

All the focus around Sunday’s World Cup Final has been on Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe 

While Alvarez has used the platform to make a name for himself on the world stage and is now the first choice to partner Lionel Messi in attack for Argentina. 

The pair have produced two the highlights of the tournament, with Giroud’s winning header being the difference against England, and Alvarez scoring one of the goals of the World Cup in the semi-final win over Croatia. 

Messi will lead out Argentina on Sunday in what is his last World Cup game hoping to finally get his hands on the famous trophy. However, Mbappe could secure his second successive World Cup gong if France triumph.