Olivier Giroud Asks For Patience From Arsenal Fans

Monday, 20th August, 2012

Arsene Wenger’s summer recruit Olivier Giroud has implored the Arsenal supporters to be patient with him.

The striker’s 81st minute game defining miss against Sunderland, in the weekend’s 0-0 draw, left many Gunners’ fans wondering if the French international has the ability to replace Robin van Persie’s goals.

Giroud has insisted that it is up to him to succeed, but believes that he should not be compared with Van Persie.

“It is up to me to succeed. I’m not here to make people forget Robin,” said Giroud to Arsenal’s official website.

“He has made beautiful things here but I just want to bring something new.”

The Frenchman reasoned that even the Dutch striker took time to settle in North London and said that if the fans can be patient with him, he will start delivering soon.

“People are clever enough to know that Robin took a lot of space here. His last season was wonderful. But before that, he took time to settle,” said the French international.

“So I’m just asking people to be a little patient with me. I know Arsenal is a great club and needs a striker ready and efficient quickly”, he added.

Giroud also discussed his stunning miss, when he shot wide in a one-on-one situation with no pressure from the goalkeeper.

“Yes, it was a game ball… the ball came from behind and I didn’t have much time to take in the information. I didn’t know if the keeper had come out quickly or not”, said the striker, explaining the miss.

He admitted that had he netted the chance it would have been a dream start for him at the Emirates Stadium, but stressed he will get more chances and looks forward to burying them.

“It could have been the dream start”, admitted the Frenchman. “In Montpellier, I did not score in my first game, so I’m not worried. I will have plenty of chances here and I will score. For a striker, scoring goals is very important. It gives a little bit more confidence”.