SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 10: Olivier Giroud of Arsenal celebrates scoring his side’s first goal during the Premier League match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary’s Stadium on December 9, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Olivier Giroud makes a move across London as he signs for Chelsea
Giroud is blue!
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 10: Olivier Giroud of Arsenal celebrates scoring his side’s first goal during the Premier League match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary’s Stadium on December 9, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
While Arsenal welcomed a big-name striker to their ranks, they also bid farewell to one of their own as Frenchman Olivier Giroud completed the move to London rivals Chelsea on Wednesday.
The French international signs on an 18-month deal while also saying goodbye, albeit temporarily, to Belgian forward Michy Batshuayi who makes his way to Borussia Dortmund on a loan basis following what was pretty much a three-way deal between the two London clubs and the German giants.
Chelsea Football Club has today completed the signing of Olivier Giroud from Arsenal.
Full story ????https://t.co/XDqSwzsZmO#GiroudIsBluepic.twitter.com/5d1sRuBNrB
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 31, 2018
???? @_OlivierGiroud_#GiroudIsBlue pic.twitter.com/Ep6Hrhc9AR
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 31, 2018
Welcome to Chelsea, @_OlivierGiroud_! ????#GiroudIsBlue pic.twitter.com/rY1VRsgyYk
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 31, 2018
Good luck, @mbatshuayi! ????https://t.co/U8W5MXj4Bl
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 31, 2018
Giroud made 253 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal since joining from French Ligue 1 side Montpelier back in 2012, scoring 105 goals in the process, including an expertly executed scorpion kick against Crystal Palace last season which won him the FIFA Puskas Award.
He has represented France on 69 occasions, finding the net 29 times in international football.
For the scorpion kicks, the bullet headers, the late strikes, the north London derby winner, the FA Cup final assists, the 105 goals, the 253 appearances and for all the hard work and dedication, we want to say…
THANK YOU, OLIVIER GIROUD ❤️#NaNaNaNaa pic.twitter.com/myIR7FcNXs
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 31, 2018
???????????? @EmiratesFACup
???? @FIFAcom Pukas AwardWhat’s your message to @_OlivierGiroud_? Use #NaNaNaNaa ???? pic.twitter.com/kI3ZaI2u4M
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 31, 2018
Is Giroud a good fit for Chelsea?
The 31-year old had fallen down the pecking order at The Emirates following the arrival of countryman Alexandre Lacazette and spent a fair chunk of this season’s campaign chowing bench.
He could be the man Chelsea manager Antonio Conte had been looking for as he possesses an aerial threat and has proven Premier League experience and should fancy his chances of fighting his way to the starting line-up as he will will slug it out for a place with Spaniard Alvaro Morata who is of a similar mold but far less experienced.
Also read: Sorry Arsenal fans: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang isn’t the answer to your problems
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