Arsenal FC striker Olivier Giroud has accepted that he lacked efficiency in front of the goal in last night’s friendly against Serbia.
The 28-year-old started as the lone striker for France and missed a couple of clear cut opportunities to score. The striker was replaced in the second half by Karim Benzema and was jeered by the French fans at half-time first and when he was eventually substituted.
France beat Serbia 2-1 courtesy of a brace from Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Blaise Matuidi. The 28-year-old opened the scoring from a header, before hitting a sublime volley from 25-yards-out to double his tally for the night.
Giroud has been criticized by Arsenal FC fans to being not good enough for the club and the striker maintained that the criticism does not affect him and he intends to work on his finishing. The striker has one goal to his name in seven appearances for club and country, but has vowed to correct this.
“I miss some efficiency” – Olivier Giroud
Speaking in an interview after the match, as quoted by . Sky Sports, Giroud said:
“As a striker, what you got used to on a daily basis, it is to be applauded when you score goals. When the opposite happens, it’s difficult. Everybody gets criticised one day.
“That’s not the first and surely not the last time it happens. I have the mental strength to bounce back. Now I am going to focus on working. I am everything but worried about that. I will bounce back.
“I miss some efficiency. It is like it is. I cannot focus too much on it. I have to think about the victory of the team and the good form we currently are experiencing. We did well against Portugal and it is great to confirm with a second victory for the confidence.
“Everything was not perfect but we played well especially during the first half. I am going first to enjoy our victory and then obviously I will have to correct a few things.”
Arsenal FC face Stoke City on Saturday and the Gunners would be hoping that the French forward enjoys a good night in front of goal. The North London outfit have only one senior striker available for selection after Danny Welbeck was ruled out for the better part of this year due to a surgery on his knee. Arsene Wenger needs Giroud to fire for his decision to not bring another striker get vindicated.