There is an interesting bit of news from Darren Lewis in today’s Mirror saying that Arsenal had every intention of selling Olivier Giroud at the end of last season, but have now changed their minds.
The Mirror said: Arsenal have rejected a string of enquiries for Olivier Giroud .
A number of clubs made contact with the Gunners towards the end of last season over the 29-year-old France striker’s availability.
But, after initially suggesting they could be open to offers at the time, Arsenal have now insisted the Euro 2016 finalist is not for sale.
So could this be because the offer to meet Jamie Vardy’s buyout clause was rejected? There are not many Arsenal fans that would have complained if Vardy had been brought in as a straight replacement for Giroud, as long as Wenger still intended to buy one more top striker to cover for Danny Welbeck and as backup to Vardy.
A quick move like that at the beginning of the transfer window (and of course the arrival of Xhaka) would have gone some way to appeasing the Gooners that blamed our Premier League failure last season on the luckless Frenchman, especially as he went 15 games without scoring.
His great scoring run at the Euros would also have guaranteed that the Gunners would have got a reasonable price for Giroud, to add to the funds that Wenger already has earmarked for another striker. But it is now obvious that we will have to put up with Giroud in the squad for another season, but please let it be as backup to Lacazette or Lukaku!
Darren
Vardy snub has nothing to do with Arsenal retaining Giroud’s services…
HaLt Exaggerating issues!
“Did Vardy snub persuade Arsenal to keep Giroud?”
As if we have clubs knocking the door for Giroud … Don’t believe the Mirror, no one in his right mind, bare Wenger, would like to have an average striker …
Giroud has played well in euros (even got a standing ovation from french fans) so now we get articles in the media about him leaving arsenal. How come the article did not appear toward th end of the last season when these supposed offers were made?
I do not believe that arsenal ever considered selling giroud, more made up media stories.
I’ve never seen an average player given so much credit in my life.Gosh!!! I feel so sorry underrated players and players who deserve credit but is not given to them.I just don’t know what’s so special about Giroud. Then people come hear and talk about his valuation and tell me he is over performing.Tell me for how much we bought some of Arsenal greatest players before you can and say that.The guy is so terrible I don’t even know what to say anymore.I’m just speechless so I won’t go further.Vardy snubbing Arsenal has completely nothing to do with Wenger keep Giroud.
If Giruod no.1 strikers to Arsenal then we have no HOPES!!!
nobody rates giroud.
He is only praised at very few times when he has a decent scoring return.
Otherwise all I see are abuses against him
@Ramterta
Olivier is rated by the only person that matters, Wenger…
Mr Wenger will keep Giroud because he is the Cheaper option. He will not be buying a new striker in this transfer window.