Chelsea fans have taken to social media to thank outgoing Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger for selling Olivier Giroud in January, as the striker looks set to become the next cult favourite at the Bridge.
The 31-year-old may have initially struggled to establish himself at Stamford Bridge but he has been on a recent run of good form and was once again on song as Chelsea defeated Southampton on Sunday to book their place in the final of this season’s FA Cup, where they will play Manchester United.
Giroud struggled to earn first-team football during the first half of the season after the Gunners purchased Alexandre Lacazette in the summer, and his chances of seeing action at the Emirates became even more remote following the arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund in January.
Many criticised Antonio Conte’s decision to go for Giroud as he was a striker that was struggling to earn regular game time and some viewed his signing as a sign of desperation on the part of the Italian, who looked to find alternative options for an out-of-form Alvaro Morata.
During his seven-year-long spell with Arsenal, Giroud established himself as a cult hero at the club and the chances are that he would have wanted to stay. However, the World Cup is fast approaching and Giroud really needed regular football if he wanted to be part of the 23-man France squad that will travel to Russia this summer.
It is now highly likely that he will feature for Les Bleus, although whether he will start for his country is another story.
Giroud’s stunning solo effort against Southampton is likely his greatest moment at the club so far. Chelsea fans are right to be thanking Wenger for agreeing to part ways with the Frenchman, who could now use the supporters’ good faith to establish himself as the next cult hero at Stamford Bridge.
