Olivier Giroud has attributed Arsenal’s 2-1 win at Crystal Palace to efficient attacking play – and a bit of luck on his part.
In a post-match interview with the media, the French striker said that they had learned from the defeat at home to West Ham United on the opening day, adding – quite possibly in reference to that opening-day setback, that “when you play a Premier League game you need to be ready, you need to have full commitment to the game.”
Giroud contributed, of course, with a goal at Selhurst Park. Unsurprisingly, he was pleased to be on the scoresheet, adding:“I told my friend Debuchy that I would celebrate with him if I scored so it’s a wink to him.”
He did suggest, however, that there may have been a stroke of fortune in his eye-catching volleyed strike: “It was maybe a volley or a scissor on the side but maybe I was a bit lucky but that’s what I wanted to do.”
As for why he took the shot on anyway, Giroud suggested that Arsene Wenger’s advice might have had something to do with it: “The boss told me in the box I should take it with one touch so I try to do it.”
One out of one this season in that department – and one that was both impressive and important.
