French striker Olivier Giroud was at it again for Arsenal at the weekend, scoring a last minute winner in their FA Cup clash against Preston North End.
The Gunners made it needlessly difficult for themselves against the League Two side away from home. After conceding a late lead, Welshman Aaron Ramsey put Arsenal back on level terms shortly after the break.
The stage was set for the Gunners’ star player of recent weeks to steal the show, and Olivier Giroud replied with aplomb. The Frenchman prodded it in after being set up by Spaniard Lucas Perez, and the Arsenal claimed a 2-1 victory.
After the game, fans took to Twitter to hail their French striker, the same one who has come under intense pressure from the same fan-base over the past few seasons.
Olivier Giroud’s week:
Sunday:
– Goal of Season ⚽️
– MOTM ?Tuesday:
– 2 Assists ?
– 91st Min ⚽️
– MOTM ?Saturday:
– 89th Min winner ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/eAHr0c9rhU— SPORF (@Sporf) January 7, 2017
Giroud may never be an Henry but does his stuff. His record is incredible.
Slowly becoming that guy you just don’t disrespect. Accept it.— Dinklage (@Dinklage_Afc) January 7, 2017
Before signing for Arsenal, the two clubs closest to signing Giroud were Bayern Munich and Middlesbrough. Which I think just sums up Giroud.
— TF⁹ (@TheFalseNein) January 7, 2017
10 – Olivier Giroud has scored in each of his last eight starts for Arsenal in all competitions, netting 10 goals. Clinical.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 7, 2017
Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, Giroud always wins.
— Ö? (@MesutEra) January 7, 2017
Why do certain Arsenal fans not rate Olivier Giroud? Without him they would be in a huge amount of trouble.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) January 7, 2017
Arise sir Olivier Giroud, saviour of accumulators.
— TheODDSbible (@TheOddsBible) January 7, 2017
The Frenchman scored the late equalizer in their game against Bournemouth earlier in the week, and decided to celebrate instead of promptly getting the ball back in play. This provoked some backlash from fans who weren’t too pleased.
In response, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger made the very gutsy decision of making Giroud captain for their game against Preston.
Giroud split the fanbase with his celebration in midweek. Wenger makes him captain. Banter.
— FK³ (@fkhanage) January 7, 2017
Olivier Giroud captains the side today against Preston for the first time in his Arsenal career. #afc pic.twitter.com/TOqMGkGktW
— UberArsenal™ (@UberAFC) January 7, 2017
Giroud captain today tears in my eyes what a moment.
— Olly (@Giroudesquee) January 7, 2017
I am genuinely all for making Olivier Giroud the captain of Arsenal football club. What a showman.
— Paddy (@VieiraPaddy) January 7, 2017
Devilishly handsome. Lethally clinical. Captain of Arsenal Football Club. Olivier Giroud. G-Rude.
— FK³ (@fkhanage) January 7, 2017
There were many Arsenal fans who were furious at Giroud for his actions in the game against the Cherries, but there were just as many who felt his ‘camel kick’ celebration after that equalizing goal was more than justified.
The Frenchman helped their case by scoring yet another important late goal, and many Arsenal fans opened up the banter, saying that he should have taken the ball back to the halfway line instead of celebrating.
Giroud should’ve taken the ball back to the centre after the goal just for the bants.
— Wilshoholic (@Wilshoholic) January 7, 2017
Giroud shouldn’t be celebrating there, should be going back to the halfway line trying to get the third to kill the game.
— Paddy (@VieiraPaddy) January 7, 2017
Imagine if Giroud scores in the first 15 mins and runs to put the ball in the middle just to take the piss
— AM (@MesutBergkamp) January 7, 2017