Arsenal: Olivier Giroud stoic in face of Alexandre Lacazette deal

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is more dedicated than ever and if that doesn’t swing your opinion of him, you need help. He’s more than a ‘loyal warrior.’

Arsenal hasn’t had as much success as supporters would have wanted in recent history and that is unfortunate, no doubt. But the saddest part of it all is that supporters always look for the easiest person to cast the blame on and, the majority of the time, that person is Olivier Giroud.

The Frenchman is soon to join the 100 goals club at one of the most historic football clubs in the history of the game and he still can’t catch a break with either his club supporters or international supporters (he’s scored more than Benzema, damnit!)

But that hasn’t fazed the stoic Giroud. Even in the face of Alexandre Lacazette coming to the club, the big Frenchman has reaffirmed that the only thing he wants is to be a ‘loyal warrior’ for a club whose supporters have never really fully supported him.

Here is his full statement on his future, as reported by Goal.com:

"I won a few titles in my career, that is an important thing, but there is another thing which is important for me. And that’s the people [see you as a] loyal warrior on the pitch – that you always give your best for the team. And that’s why I want to carry on my good journey at Arsenal and I always want to give my best. I would love to win another title, or maybe more until the end of my contract. The motivation is here, always doing your best to make your family proud."

Giroud is locked in until 2020 and, maybe I speak only for myself, but I’d be thrilled to have him play out those years (and more) with the Gunners. Keep piling on the goals and climbing up the scoring charts and maybe eventually he will be remembered as he should be – a fighter and a rarely seen loyal player.

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It really should be a bit inspiring that he is remaining so stoic and true to the cause even as his supposed replacement is being lined up by the club. Giroud made it clear he was not happy settling for the diminished minutes he saw last season, so the fact that he is willing to stay and fight it out with a record-signing striker means that he is more confident than ever that he can achieve that goal of increased minutes.

I’ll probably get scoffed at for making this statement, but I’m going to make it anyway. In my book, Giroud is a legend, not so much because of the numbers he put up (although those are pretty impressive), but because of what he did during a dark time for Arsenal. He shouldered the burden when Arsene Wenger simply refused to bring anyone else in to help him and now, even as he remains hugely thankless, he is determined to continue this journey with the club.

Next: 3 Players Who Will Fall In Love With Alexandre Lacazette

And it’s not like you can shirk off his production. 100 goals (soon enough) with the club with an eye on much more, if he does continue to 2020, is quite the achievement. Especially for someone who was ‘never good enough.’

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