Olivier Giroud says Arsenal can play with ‘serenity’ in their final three Europa League group games after securing a third successive win in the competition with a 1-0 result against Red Star Belgrade.
The Frenchman scored a beauty of a winner with just six minutes remaining, producing a volleyed overhead kick finish to polish off a fine move involving Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott.
Speaking to Arsenal.com after the game, the striker reflected on his goal, the patience needed to break down stubborn resistance and what the result means.
“Yes, you know in that position I tried to play with another teammate, but I didn’t see anyone, so I tried to take it overhead and off-balance and it went in the back of the net.
“It’s nice for the team and I’m happy for the team because we were resilient until the end. In the end, we kept the lead in the game and we just needed to be patient.
“It has been very difficult because it was an amazing atmosphere here today. The crowd is behind this team and it was a tough game but we really deserved the three points.”
He added: “Obviously, we want to win every single game, but we played two away games and it’s very good for the future. We can play now with more serenity. But yes, we maybe didn’t expect it and we have done a good job.”
Walcott being involved with a team goal of serenity.
Wow.
let it be, we won with our second string and Walcott got an assist in a generally drab game. No need for such pettiness.
Great goal, not a convincing win but given that the team was mainly made up of young players & those that haven’t started for the first team happy with the result.
A bit concerned with the comment “maybe we didn’t expect it” – think it says a lot about the confidence level and expectations within the team at present!
I actually liked the quote tbh. More first team players could do with a mentality of not showing up and expecting to win. You never expect a win, you work for it.
Agree you need to work for it but surely you go out hoping/wanting/determined to win rather than maybe expecting it?
Goodly Morning.
This guy is a hero.
Nowadays I look forward more to our Europa team than the PL team, tbh. Still need works here & there but we play more like a team. & that goal is authentic Arsenal goal.
Have to say I agree with this. It was a really poor performance on the whole but at least it’s a diffident competition.
By the same reckoning would we fans enjoy the championship more than the premiership? C’mon Arsene deliver the fans what we want! We believe in you! 😉
*different
Gotta respect the man and DAT Goal. He was having a poor game but came up with the goods at the death when it counts.
Am I the only one that wouldn’t mind seeing a 4-4-2 with him and Lacazette up top?
Thank god! I thought I was the only one! I think in the right games it could work really well. Classic big man/little man up top!
To take into account the team that was put out ( Le Coq 1st game in ages ) and how the opposition sat back trying to hit us on the break it was a great result
I would love to see that too. But i just don’t think we have good enough wide players who could deliver to our strikers.
‘amazing atmosphere, the crowd are really behind this team’ take note emirates! Would love to hear our team being cheered on like that.
They only come to see the Arsenal
You’ll notice that most of the fans in Serbia weren’t wearing suits and expensive jackets 🙂
They probably don’t charge £60 for the cheap seats