Olivier Giroud faced the media ahead of Arsenal’s first ever Europa League game against Cologne on Thursday.
We’ve already covered his reasons for staying at the Emirates this summer and why he’s excited to hit a century in Gunners colours.
The Frenchman was also quizzed on the performance against Bournemouth, the prospect of winning a European trophy and the squad depth available to manager Arsene Wenger.
On bouncing back against Bournemouth…
We needed this win definitely. We had a tough start with these two away games [at Stoke and Liverpool] it was not easy. We wanted to bounce back as quick as we can and it was a great character response [against Bournemouth]. We’ve been pleased with this result and we’ve done very well, been efficient in front of goal. It’s good for the confidence and now we need to focus on the Europa League. After we’ll have another big game on Sunday in the derby against Chelsea.
On winning a European trophy…
I play football to win trophies and to be ambitious. It’s only the first game, so we need to wait and to win every single game. Step by step, we’ll see but obviously we can do it and we want to do it.
On Arsenal’s squad depth…
We have at least two teams, two good teams. We’ve got a lot of competition in the team. It’s nice for everybody because we need to be focused and competitive. It keeps the focus high and always improves us. It’s always nice to have good players alongside you and to push you always forward. Trust me, we’ve a very good team on paper tomorrow.
A very good team on paper. And Reiss Nelson at wing back (we all know it’s coming).
That’s where he played in mid- season
Is it me or does the word nice feature too much?
Arsenal are too nice in my opinion.
lol what would you want them to be? a bunch of arseholes?
Would Vieira use the word nice all the time?
I want them to be tougher.
English isn’t his first language. Maybe that’s just the word that comes to him most easily. Let them do their talking on the pitch.
Weak at Midfield. Wenger is yet to utilize this team to its full potential.
Bouncebackability
Jack plays tonight. Im excited about europa football, it will be good. My liverpool friends enjoyed it, I dont have any spurs friends.
sp*rs. dont swear
If only we could play on paper, we’d win everything. But I suspect it’ll be grass again.
1. FC Köln is still a decent side, even though they’re 0-and-3 for the season with a goal score of 1:7.
I fear that some people might think “Ah, this is the EL, we’re going to coast through”. We should do well, and we have a decent chance of winning the thing, but this is a wounded german side. They’re not likely to just fold.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t win – but.. this isn’t going to be a walk-over. By any means.
(and The Bearded Wonder is more than welcome to prove me wrong with a sneaky hat-trick!)
We’re a bit short on options at wingback. Beyond Bellerin and Kolasinac, the depth is questionable. Also in deep midfield.
But we have plenty of depth up top and in defense (provided we play the right players)
CF – Giroud, Welbeck
FW – Alexis, Lacazette, Walcott
AM – Ozil, Iwobi
CM – Ramsey, Jack
DM – Granit, Coquelin
RWB – Bellerin, Chambers(?)
LWB – Kolasinac, Nelson
CBL – Monreal, Elneny
CBC – Mustafi, Per
CBR – Koscielny, Holding
GK – Cech, Ospina, Macey
Santi (when he is better)