New Chelsea FC signing explains his reasons for joining the Blues

Chelsea FC striker Olivier Giroud Photo: Screengrab

Olivier Giroud has insisted that he chose to leave Arsenal and sign for Chelsea FC in the January transfer window because he was in need of a new challenge.

The French striker has been settling into life at Stamford Bridge after having signed for the west London side from Arsenal in January as he looked to gain some more regular first-team football.

Giroud had struggled to hold down a regular spot in the first team at Arsenal in the opening months of the season and the 31-year-old was keen to move gain more minutes ahead of the World Cup in Russia this summer.

And the former Gunners star has now lifted the lid on his decision to leave The Emirates to sign for Arsenal’s London rivals.

Giroud is quoted as saying by Metro: “You have to be demanding with yourself. I signed to Chelsea to have a new challenge.

“When you sign like that in January, it’s never easy because you have to acclimatise to your team. But I really wanted to be ready right away, even though I was coming back from almost six weeks of injury.

“The coach [Antonio Conte] started me in the second game [a 3-0 win over West Brom] and it made me comfortable. It went very well. Then, it is true that I could have done better in some matches.

“But overall, I repeat, it is very encouraging.”

Chelsea FC will return to Premier League action after the international break when they take on Tottenham Hotspur in a crunch top-four clash at Stamford Bridge.

The west London side are currently in fifth place in the Premier League table as they bid to try and break into the top four before the season is out.

Chelsea FC beat Leicester City 2-1 before the international break to reach the FA Cup semi-finals.

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