Following on from a successful season for the Gunners and right on the back of being selected in the Premier League Team of the Season, Giroud has began France’s 3 game warm up for the World Cup in style, with 2 goals in their 4-0 defeat of Norway today.
The 6ft 4in Gunner was just one goal shy of tying for 4th top scorer in the English top-flight, level with Dzeko and one behind Rooney, Bony and Aguero
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The first of the Frenchman’s brace was a classy strike from the edge of the box, setting himself up after a great through-ball from 29-year-old midfielder, Mathieu Valbuena. Giroud was still left with much to do but he craftily plucked the ball back from the oncoming Martin Linnes, a full back who plies his trade in his home country for Molde, calmly lined up his shot, and struck it with perfection to loop up and over the Norwegian keeper, Orjan Nyland, also of Molde.
Speaking after the game, Giroud downplayed his deep desire to feature in the World Cup and spoke of team solidarity, stating…
“When I am called upon, I try to make the most of my chance and do the job.
“It’s always good to win, including in friendlies. It’s good for morale. Tonight, I really want to highlight the team effort. It was really good. Still, we’ll stay measured, we still have to pass tests.”
Giroud started ahead of Arsenal target Loic Remy, currently employed by Premier League new-boys Queens Park Rangers, and Karim Benzema, who manager Didier Deschamps chose to rest after his role in the Champions League final. Remy also staked his claim by scoring 2 minutes after coming on the pitch, slotting home a majestic long-range pass from Newcastle United right-back, Mathieu Debuchy.
But Giroud was not ready to be outshone and certified the French win in the 69th minute with a looping header from the corner of the six-yard box, again supplied by Valbuena after the pint-sized midfielder pulled the ball back from the byline on the end of a penetrating run onto a deftly weighted pass by Lucas Digne, a young talent for Paris Saint-Germain.
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The French national side can never be under-estimated, despite currently sitting 16th in FIFA’s rankings, and today they showed some great attacking flair, especially Mathieu Valbuena. The Marseille man supplied 3 of the 4 goals and put in a sterling performance in an attacking midfield role that he clearly enjoyed the freedom of immensely.
Enjoy the highlights right here:
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