Olivier Giroud has revealed that he was left hurt and disappointed after a conversation with Wenger earlier in the season
Giroud has had a tough 2016, having been criticised heavily for his drop in form last season for Arsenal, losing the final of the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament, and then suffering an injury that kept him out of the start of the season with Arsenal.
The 30-year old has since returned to fitness, but has found himself second choice up front, with Alexis Sanchez playing in that role to great effect this season.
Giroud has still played an important part in certain matches, however, igniting an Arsenal comeback against Sunderland after coming off the bench to score a brace, and also scoring the equalising goal in Arsenal’s 3-2 comeback against Ludogorets having started the game on that occassion.
He was once again dropped to the bench for Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur, but with the recent injury to Alexis Sanchez and the continued long-term absence of summer signing Lucas Perez, it appears Giroud will now be back in the starting side at the North London club.
The striker opened up about how he was disappointed to be left on the bench in key games earlier in the season, particularly against Paris St. Germain, revealing a conversation that took place with Arsene Wenger :
“I thought I would start [against PSG] because the coach had put me on the bench against Southampton, three days before,” Giroud said.
“It is in that moment, on the morning of the match in Paris, that I had a discussion with him. He said that I was close to returning. Frankly, I was hurt, disappointed.’ he said, according to The International
It was a game Giroud will want to quickly forget, after the French forward came off the bench only to injure himself and then get sent off.
However, Giroud looks to be hitting his stride again, and Arsenal fans will be hoping he can make as much of an impact as he has been against Manchester United, when they travel to Old Trafford on November 19th.
