The Frenchman will lead Arsenal’s assault against his old team-mates in Montpellier still labouring under the £12million price tag the Gunners paid for him after he scored 25 goals in just 43 Ligue 1 championship-winning appearances last season.
So far he has failed to find the net in his first three games for Arsenal but on Tuesday he aims to end all that in the quietest – and nicest – way possible.
Giroud will deliberately not talk to any of his old pals before the match. And if he scores, his celebrations will also be low-key.
“It will be difficult for me to play against Montpellier because there is a lot of emotion and I have so many good memories of last season,” he said.
“But I will concentrate on the pitch and on the match and I will not speak with my friends.
It will be difficult for me to play against Montpellier because there is a lot of emotion and I have so many good memories of last season
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud
“I’m an Arsenal player and I want to score and to win this game for Arsenal.
“It will be my first game in the Champions League and we are playing against Montpellier.
“But it is an important game for Arsenal and I have to forget it’s Montpellier for 90 minutes,” added Giroud.
“It will be a special moment for me. I spent a beautiful, wonderful season there last year when we won the title. It was a fantastic achievement for Montpellier to win the French Championship.
“I hope to receive a good reception from the fans, because I finished the top scorer and worked hard for the title.”
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