Olivier Giroud 'doesn't accept' Chelsea role but no regrets over Arsenal exit for team with 'most titles'

Benched: Olivier Giroud
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Alex Young @alexwsyoung12 October 2019

Olivier Giroud "does not accept" his current status Chelsea but does not regret leaving Arsenal.

Giroud has made just one start in the Premier League this season with youngster Tammy Abraham leading the scoring charts with eight goals after a stunning start to the campaign.

The France international, who scored the only goal in Friday's win over Iceland, has hinted at talks with Frank Lampard but insisted he would never disrespect his manager.

"Accept it? No, I do not accept it," he told Le Pelerin (via Sport Witness).

"You do not have to be fatalistic in certain situations. I have always been respectful and humble. Even if I do not agree with the coach, I do not criticise him.

"But in myself, I cannot accept it because I know what I'm worth on a pitch. Last year, when I felt that I deserved to play, I asked the coach for explanations."

Giroud's current situation is similar to that which saw him leave Arsenal in January 2017, having fallen behind Alexandre Lacazette, Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck in the pecking order before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang then arrived.

But Giroud stays his transfer was a step up with Chelsea the more successful team in recent years.

"It was not easy to leave Arsenal for Chelsea two years ago. I loved Arsenal," he added.

"But it was a progression because Chelsea is the English club that has won the most titles, with Manchester City, in ten years.

"I had competitors in attack – [Alvaro] Morata, [Gonzalo] Higuain, who ended up leaving. I won at the end: I played the final of the FA Cup in 2018 and the [Europa League] final in 2019.

"Once again, I'm starting the year in difficulty, but as my brother said, I have always built myself in the face of adversity. Although I would like there to be less!"

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