Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has offered an explanation as to why he sanctioned the sale of Olivier Giroud to Chelsea in January.
The France international completed a move thought to be worth in the region of £15m on the final day of the January transfer window, with Arsenal deeming him to be surplus to their requirements.
The Gunners had signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for a club-record fee from Borussia Dortmund, meaning that there was no more room for Giroud in the Arsenal squad, especially with summer signing Alexandre Lacazette still available.
Wenger, as quoted by Football London, explained why he felt it was the right call to allow Giroud to seek pastures new following the arrival of Aubameyang.
Olivier was massively popular inside the dressing room and club. But he wanted more playing time, he has not played many Premier League games and he wants to go to the World Cup as well, that’s why I opened the door when Aubameyang came in to give him a chance to get the competition he deserves.
Ideally you want him to go to clubs who do not compete with you, but on the other hand it was a bit linked to the Aubameyang deal and he’s just had a third baby so it was very difficult on the family side to leave London.
Giroud has been recruited by Chelsea for the purpose of offering struggling striker Alvaro Morata some competition for his place in the starting line-up.
Chelsea wanted to sign a target man in January and have done so with Giroud. He proved to be a key player for Arsenal over the years and Wenger will hope that the decision to offload him will not come back to haunt him as the season progresses.
And I believe we owe Olivier Giroud a lot for his commitment, his dedication to the club and his love for the club was absolutely exceptional. So it was difficult to turn it down because it was a competitive club.
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