Arsenal star Olivier Giroud has respect for Tottenham.
Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud warms up
Tottenham Hotspur have been inferior to Arsenal for every single one of Arsene Wenger’s seasons in charge at the Gunners, but they are being taken seriously.
Last season it took a big points swing on the final game of the season for Arsenal to finish above Spurs, and this season the race is wide open.
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has plenty of respect for Spurs, admitting they are title challengers.
France’s Moussa Sissoko in action with Switzerland’s Admir Mehmedi
Speaking to the French media while discussing the transfer of international teammate Moussa Sissoko
Giroud said, ESPN reporting: “In the end it was quite a long month for him, it is good that something happened even in the very last moments. It’s great for him. Tottenham is a great team in our league.
“In the Premier League, Tottenham is a rival for the trophy this year. I hope he does not play well against us.”
While Giroud’s last comment was tongue in cheek, he was serious about Tottenham being title challengers.
His words show that while Spurs may be disliked rivals of Arsenal, as a team they have the respect of Arsenal, having competed well against them last season.
Picture Supplied by Action Images – Olivier Giroud
After juvenile comments from the likes of Jack Wilshere, Wojciech Szczesny and Lukas Podolski about the rivalry in previous seasons slating Tottenham, Giroud’s show of respect is in one way refreshing, while also a nod to the development of their rivals under Mauricio Pochettino’s management.
Giroud also admitted that earlier in the transfer window he had tried to convince him to join Arsenal. Sissoko would surely have been open to doing so, but manager Arsene Wenger evidently did not feel he was a player he required.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
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