Oliver Giroud

12. Olivier Giroud

Olivier Giroud profile

• Name
  Olivier Giroud
• Born
  September 30, 1986
• Chambery, France
• Position
  Striker
• Squad Number
  12
• Joined Arsenal
  July 01, 2012

French forward Olivier Giroud joined Arsenal in June 2012 from Ligue 1 champions Montpellier.

Scoring 25 goals in just 43 appearances last season and finishing joint highest scorer in France’s top flight, Olivier enjoyed the most successful campaign of a prolific career - also making his debut for France and going on to represent Les Bleus in their Euro 2012 campaign.

Olivier began his career at Grenoble, going on to enjoy a successful loan spell at third-division side Istres. He then moved onto Tours, where he played alongside Laurent Koscielny and was named the Ligue 2 Player of the Year for 2009/10 after top-scoring in the division.

Those achievements led to him joining Montpellier in July 2010. He scored 14 goals in his first season at the Stade de la Mosson, including the winner in a cup semi-final against Paris St-Germain.

His first international appearance came against the United States in November 2011, debuting on the same night as Koscielny. He scored his first goal at that level in a 2-1 victory over Germany in February 2011.

At 6ft 3in, Olivier adds height to the Gunners’ forward line along with quick feet, intelligent running, clinical finishing ability and a willingness to involve himself fully in build-up play.