Olivier Giroud, the former prominent forward for Arsenal, has openly shared that his single regret from his impactful period with the London club is the absence of a Premier League trophy. Throughout his five-and-a-half years, Giroud netted 105 goals in 253 matches, contributing significantly to three FA Cup victories. However, the top-flight English championship remained elusive, a sentiment he articulated during an interview on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
He recalled the team's strong performance, particularly highlighting the 2016 season where they were close contenders, but ultimately Leicester City triumphed. Giroud acknowledged that in other seasons, teams like Manchester City proved too dominant, and Arsenal lacked the necessary consistency. He expressed immense pride and happiness for his former club when they finally secured the league title, ending a 22-year wait since the 'Invincibles' era, considering it a well-deserved achievement.
Giroud also offered insights into Mikel Arteta, his former teammate and current Arsenal manager, noting Arteta's evident leadership qualities even during their playing days. He described Arteta as a diligent professional, deeply tactical, who ensured every detail was meticulously planned, striving for precision and demanding high standards from himself and others. Giroud vividly remembers Arteta as a strong character, always focused and passionate about the game, serving as a crucial link between then-manager Arsene Wenger and the players.