Olivier Giroud thanks Arsene Wenger following off-field issues

Olivier Giroud says that Arsene Wenger’s advice was important in helping the Arsenal striker stay focused following his recent off-the-pitch issues.

The Gunners striker found himself in the headlines after allegedly breaching club curfew rules prior to a home game earlier in the season.

The contribution of the coach [Wenger] was very important. I could talk with him

Olivier Giroud

But the forward responded with two goals in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Everton in the FA Cup quarter-final after coming off the bench in the second half.

And the 27-year-old was thankful to Wenger and France coach Didier Deschamps for their advice.

“It was difficult to live with. You have to be strong mentally. I use the pitch as an outlet,” Giroud told L’Equipe.

“The contribution of the coach [Wenger] was very important. I could talk with him, as I have done with the [France coach] Didier [Deschamps].

“It’s good that there was a dialogue. Now I want to forget it, to move on and make a fresh start.”

Arsenal travel to Bayern Munich in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday looking to turn around their 2-0 first-leg deficit.