Olivier Giroud didn't want to leave Arsenal for Chelsea, claims Gunners great Thierry Henry

James Benge31 January 2018

Thierry Henry has claimed that Olivier Giroud did not want to leave Arsenal and join Chelsea.

The French striker brought an end to five-and-a-half years in north London on Wednesday, signing for Antonio Conte’s side in an £18million deal.

Giroud has signed an 18 month contract at Chelsea with the option for a further year, admitting that his departure brought an end to a “beautiful story”.

Arsenal and Arsene Wenger had been reluctant to lose Giroud but his departure allowed the Gunners to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund, who brought in Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi as a loan replacement.

Though Arsenal have arguably strengthened their attack they have done so with a heavy heart. Henry is convinced Giroud was similarly disappointed over the transfer.

“What I like the most is, it's not like he wanted to go to Chelsea,” Henry said on Sky Sports. “No disrespect to Chelsea in any way, but it's happened.

“You can't have a go at him for trying to play a bit before the World Cup for a good team. All the very best.

“I hope people are not going to say anything bad about him because he does not deserve that.”

Giroud may have been loath to leave Arsenal but Aubameyang’s arrival meant that his already limited first-team opportunities would have been even slimmer.

At Chelsea Giroud will compete with Alvaro Morata for a starting spot, whilst the Blues’ Champions League participation should provide the 31-year-old with further opportunities to impress France manager Didier Deschamps ahead of the World Cup.

Henry said: “I thought he did what he had to do for Arsenal but on the other side the World Cup is coming, Chelsea are coming for you and they're ahead of Arsenal at the minute. Arsene is not playing you sometimes, Welbeck is in front of you and Lacazette has arrived and is in front of you.

AFP/Getty Images

“A lot of players went in front of him so I cannot fault him or be upset with him for going to Chelsea when he's not playing at Arsenal.

“The way he likes to play suits very much the way Antonio Conte likes to play. He likes a target man with a brain that can get into the box to receive the crosses of the wing-backs.

“I wish him all the very best but we lost at Arsenal a supporting cast, as I like to call them, of the guys coming off the bench.”

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