Theo Walcott has called former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud a ‘top player’ on Instagram after he became France’s all-time top-scorer at the Qatar World Cup.
What an achievement for the 36-year-old, who scored his 52nd goal for France as they beat Poland during the last-16 stages of the World Cup, as he surpassed none other than Thierry Henry’s record.
It’s just fitting that Arsenal have some sort of link to this given their rich history with great French players, as well as their greatest-ever coach being Arsene Wenger.

He signed Giroud from Montpellier in 2012 and he went on to win numerous FA Cups with the Gunners, before going to the other side of London and signing for Chelsea in 2018.
Walcott shared the same stage as the now-AC Milan forward and he had this special message for his former teammate after his record-breaking goal in Doha.
“What an achievement Olivier Giroud,” said Walcott. “France’s record goalscorer. Top player, even better man.”

GIROUD UP AGAINST FAMILIAR OPPOSITION
It’s fitting that Giroud has scored at this World Cup because, in 2018, he didn’t find the back of the net, despite playing a crucial role in his country becoming champions of the world in Russia.
Well, on Saturday, he is going to come up against familiar opposition when France lock horns with free-scoring England for a place in the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Giroud will be up against some familiar faces and he will be expected to start for a France side that has the 2022 World Cup’s top-scorer amongst their ranks.
Kylian Mbappe has five goals to his name in the Middle East and he is ripping everyone apart, as his battle with Kyle Walker is going to be some contest.
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