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Olivier Giroud reveals the real reason he left Arsenal to join Chelsea

Will Magee
Olivier Giroud moved from Arsenal to Chelsea in January
Olivier Giroud moved from Arsenal to Chelsea in January

Ahead of Barcelona’s visit to Stamford Bridge in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, Olivier Giroud has spoken about the reasons behind his move from Arsenal to Chelsea.

Giroud joined Chelsea on an 18-month deal at the close of the January transfer window, with the Blues paying around £18m for the France international. He scored 105 goals in 253 appearances for Arsenal in six years at the club, though he was a lightning rod for criticism for much of that time from fans and press alike.


‘I could no longer continue’

Now, in an interview with France Football, Giroud has opened up on the circumstances surrounding his departure from the Emirates and his dismay over Arsenal’s pursuit of other strikers. “It was frustrating at Arsenal obviously,” he said.

“For a year and a half, it went from bad to worse. I could no longer continue like that.

READ MORE: Barcelona tie will not decide Antonio Conte’s Chelsea future

“I could not bring myself to spend another year at Arsenal and remain a reserve, even a second reserve. The future looked gloomy with the arrival of a new striker [Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang].

“I wanted to become happier again by playing, so I left. It is as simple as that.”

Giroud scored his first Chelsea goal in their FA Cup win against Hull City last week
Giroud scored his first Chelsea goal in their FA Cup win against Hull City last week

‘The easiest solution was to go to Dortmund’

Giroud also spoke about his mooted move to Borussia Dortmund, a transfer which failed to materialise after Chelsea stated their interest in him. “The easiest solution was to go to Dortmund,” he said.

“Arsenal were happy, Dortmund as well. It was the offer most interesting financially speaking. I have a very good contract at Chelsea but Dortmund really wanted me.

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“It happened after a game of poker, like in all transfers,” he went on. “It dragged on, I started to get stressed because my third child was born at that exact moment. That was also why I did not want to go to Dortmund.

“Spending four months without seeing him, I do not know how I could have done it. It was why, I needed to take the bull by the horns.”