Giroud thankful to Wenger for allowing Chelsea move
- Published
Olivier Giroud has praised former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger for letting him join Chelsea in 2018.
Giroud spent six years at Arsenal, scoring 105 goals in 253 games, but quit in search of regular football in a move that allowed the Gunners to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
While moving was not a shock, his destination was given the Gunners' long-standing rivalry with Chelsea.
The move worked out better for Giroud than Arsenal, given Aubameyang failed to reach the heights expected and eventually had his contract cancelled. Giroud, meanwhile, won the FA Cup, Europa League and Champions League with the Blues.
As he looks ahead to Monday's Club World Cup encounter between his current club, Major League Soccer outfit LAFC and Chelsea in Atlanta on Monday, Giroud expressed his gratitude to Wenger for making the deal happen.
"I'm really thankful one more time to Arsene, if he hears me, to let me go where I wanted to go," said Giroud.
"I had an amazing time at Chelsea and played with amazing players. With Eden [Hazard], Willian and Pedro around me, it was so easy.
"I knew signing for Chelsea back then was an improvement. They were one of the best teams in the league, winning the most trophies with [Manchester] City.
"It surprised a lot of people but I had to leave and it went really well for me."