Olivier Giroud says putting in a defensive shift actually helps him play better up front as he finds the ‘shit that people don’t see’ very rewarding.
Speaking to L’Equipe (translated by Get French Football News) ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League showdown with Barcelona, the France international revealed that on-pitch dirty work even has its own aphorism at London Colney.
“Honestly, I need that so that I can feel heavy in my legs, I even find it rewarding,” said the 29-year-old when asked if defensive work detracts from his attacking game.
“Here we say, ‘do the shit that people don’t see’. It also shows who you are.
“Against Leicester, even when we were behind, we all wanted to put a defensive shift in. That tells you something.”
That last-gasp 2-1 win over Leicester closed the gap on Claudio Ranieri’s table-toppers to just two points with 12 games remaining.
Confirming the squad believe they can end a 12-year wait for a league title, the Frenchman underlined that Arsenal’s biggest opponents in the coming months will be themselves.
“The league is spicy, so strange, that the title will be attained with fewer points than in previous years,” he continued. “This is good for us because we have lost points stupidly.
“We have never been so close to the first position at this time of the year, so, we really believe in ourselves. Why not us?
“Honestly, what they [Leicester] are doing, it is very strong. It reminds me of our season with Montpellier, when we finished as champions. They only have the league left to play.
“They are superbly moulded and have a certain unconcerned attitude. Just now, Ranieri has given them an entire week of holidays during the middle of the season. Can you imagine that?
“I am also wary of the dynamism of Tottenham. But I think that our main rival is ourselves, even if you might think that that answer is corny or stupid.”
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Visit Get French Football News to read a translation of the interview – Pt. 1 / Pt. 2 / Pt. 3 (to come) – there’s some interesting stuff about becoming a 25-goal striker and tonight’s opponents Barcelona.
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So renaissance. Such a thinker!
Spicy Extreme Doritos to sponsor the Premier League next year. Move over Barclays.
Too bad he wasn’t asked what he thinks about Tottenham…
Tottenham is the shit that you do see
He has a point, the biggest challenge to our title aspirations is ironically ourselves!!!
i’ll tell you what’s spicy, a giroud knock-down to alexis to score the match winner today. what’s even spicier you ask? a giroud goal line clearance to further stamp his defensive presence. all that right there makes for one spicy night full of the spicy frenchman.
I may have to drink a few glasses of water if Giroud topped all that off with a headed goal from an Ozil set-piece, I’m sweating just thinking about it.
I don’t get why people don’t love this guy. He takes a humble attitude to his job, works hard, is tough and brave on the pitch and gets every bit of value from his talent. He’s a team player through and through.
I suspect were he English he’d be getting hero status from fans. But no, he’s good looking and French and isn’t named “Henry” so he’s a “donkey” according to some.
After watching us for 20 years I’ve come to have the following mantra. “Play like cunts, get treated like cunts.” We’ve had a lot of cunty mements in that time.
Nice Oli
Barcelona is shit
I loved him in that Leicester game, he was a beast! More of that tonight please.
Giroud’s brace plus an özil’s volley in the net. It pays to dream. Anyone?
do the shit against barca tonight guys and everything is gonna be alright
I have come to like Giroud for real
Well we certainly put in a defensive shit last night.