Gunners complete Giroud deal
Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud has agreed to join Arsenal on a long-term contract
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of striker Olivier Giroud from Montpellier.
Giroud, part of France's Euro 2012 squad which was knocked out by Spain in the quarter-finals on Saturday, joins on a "long-term contract" for an undisclosed fee, which is believed to be £13million. The 25-year-old scored 25 goals to help Montpellier win their first Ligue 1 title last season, and will now aim to make an impact in the Barclays Premier League.
Giroud, whose contract with Arsenal will officially commence on July 1, said on the club's official website: "I am delighted to be here at Arsenal and to be part of one of the great teams in English football. It's a huge satisfaction to join this great club and it's been a dream since I was young to play in the Premier League."
He added: "I was attracted by the philosophy of football and Arsene Wenger's 'touch' at this club.
"I have always admired Arsenal with its great history and reputation, and I now hope to achieve great things here. I'm very proud to be a Gunner and I will give my best for all the Arsenal fans."
Giroud jetted into London earlier this week and the finer details of his transfer, which Arsenal maintain is "now just the subject of formal processes", were completed on Monday night after the player agreed personal terms and underwent a medical.
Gunners boss Wenger feels the promising Frenchman will bring another dimension to his squad, which has already been bolstered by the arrival of Germany marksman Lukas Podolski.
"Olivier has a very good physical presence and is exceptional in the air, with a great work ethic," Wenger said. "We are excited about Olivier joining us and he will add an additional dimension to our attacking options next season.
"He has proved that he is capable of performing at the top level with club and country, and we saw what a big influence he was in Montpellier's championship-winning side last season.
"We all look forward to Olivier joining us and seeing him play in an Arsenal shirt."
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I'm beginning to think about buying a season ticket and catching a train for the Emirates twice each month of the coming season.
I hope that Giroud proves to be as good and as influential a buy as Fabregas proved to be, although he should not have left...
Just before the season ended, it seemed ominous for Wenger and Arsenal with the exodus of key players, but Wenger has turned it around, as he turned the results around to get our champions league place.
I am looking forward to seeing what Podolski can do for the team. He should be the perfect buy.
I like the style of this player and should be a number 1 starter, but will they play him. The problem with Arsenal they never play the players they bring in. They are all bit part players, Chamakh, Gervinho, Walcott, Chu-Young and Bendtner. I would struggle to pick a first team player out of the list. Maybe Walcott but that is how they play. Van Persie is the first team starter but is often a bit part player through injury or fitness. He cannot carry Arsenal next season.
I think Giroud is a good player and can see them getting their moneys worth. Persist and things may look up. However, Giroud, Podolski, Van Persie are all left footed players so they won't start together with Walcott on the right!!
A great addition and he will give Arsenal much-needed options, now Arsene can begin to unload some of the non-productive fringe players as well.
All we need now I think is a leader-on-the-pitch type player, someone to get hold of the team and give them some verbals throughout a game, a true captain figure.
Is there a Tony Adams out there........?
