Olivier Giroud moved to Chelsea during the summer transfer window from Arsenal in hopes of getting more game time before the FIFA World Cup which is scheduled to be held in Russia this summer.
Giroud moved across London and joined the Blues on a three-year deal for a transfer fee of £18million and this was only possible because Michy Batshuayi moved out of London and joined German side Borussia Dortmund.
And now Olivier Giroud has revealed what Arsene Wenger told him before left for Chelsea during the January transfer window.
The French striker said(as reported by the Mirror): “I went to see the coach to ask him where he was with Aubameyang. I put him under a bit of pressure, like my agent, who I spoke to several times a day. It is normal. I did not want to be deprived of going to Chelsea which was the best solution for me,”
“The coach immediately said to me: ‘Don’t worry, I will do my best so that you are happy’. On one side, it was normal. I had never asked to leave.
“On the other, I knew that he would not cause problems given the relationship we had always had. He even said to me that it would p*** him off if I did not go to Russia.”
“It was frustrating at Arsenal obviously. For a year and a half, it went from bad to worse. I could no longer continue like that,” Giroud added.
“I could not bring myself to spend another year at Arsenal and remain a reserve, even a second reserve. The future looked gloomy with the arrival of a new striker (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang). I wanted to become happier again by playing, so I left – it is as simple as that.”
