After improving significantly year on year since coming to play for Arsenal after leading his former club Montpellier to their first ever French title, you would think that Olivier Giroud was a happy man. But apparently not because he has been quoted in the Daily Mail admitting that the media focus on what he wears, how he looks and what his latest haircut might be is really starting to get on his wick.
After scoring 18 goals in a season seriously shortened by a lengthy injury lay-off, perhaps the France international star can be forgiven for thinking that his on pitch exploits rather than his off pitch appearance should be talked about more.
He said, “I don’t want to speak any more about my appearance, my hair or anything, I get p***** about that.
“I don’t know (if I am an animal). I know one thing, in sport you have to question yourself every week and be ready in your head and you have to be at 100 per cent of determination if you want to keep going and win games, you cannot afford to be at 80 or 90 per cent.”
Unfortunately for Giroud it seems that his performances only make the news when they are being criticised, like his off game in the first leg against Monaco or his struggles against Chelsea at the weekend, when the former Gunner and current TV pundit Thierry Henry questioned his ability to lead Arsenal at the top level.
The Arsenal fans and the man whose opinion is the most important, Arsene Wenger, seem to appreciate his ability at least – and to be honest, I think we should not mind that Giroud is underrated, as it will keep him determined to prove people wrong and hopefully keep other clubs from trying to sign him.
Do you think Arsenal will see yet more improvement from Giroud next season?