Arsenal news: Aaron Ramsey hails Olivier Giroud’s ‘amazing achievement’

OLIVER GIROUD became an Arsenal centurion last night and his team-mate Aaron Ramsey paid tribute to his “amazing achievement”.

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Olivier Giroud waits to convert the penalty which would becoming his one hundredth goal for Arsenal

A youthful Gunners side despatched BATE Borisov 4-2 in the Europa League with Giroud scoring from the penalty spot.

The 30-year-old reached his milestone faster than Robin van Persie (238 games) and Dennis Bergkamp (296), but slower than Arsenal greats like Ian Wright (143) and Thierry Henry (181).

The Frenchman almost left Arsenal in the summer transfer window, but Ramsey told the Arsenal website that he’s glad the striker stayed.

Speaking on Giroud reaching 100 goals in red and white, Ramsey said: “He’s a fantastic player with many qualities.

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Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey enjoy a good relationship on and off the pitch

“To score one hundred goals is an amazing achievement for him personally and he joins a very select few.

“We’re delighted to have him in our team and hopefully he’ll score a lot more.”

The France international’s century of Gunners’ goals came in 237 games.

And Ramsey went on to speak of Giroud’s penchant for performing in big games and of their link-up play on the pitch.

“I like to play off him because he has a good understanding of the runs that I try to make,” the Welshman added.

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Flying Frenchman Olivier Giroud in action for Arsenal against BATE Borisov last night

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“There have been a few goals where we’ve combined well together, in FA Cup finals for example.”

Theo Walcott bagged two goals in Belarus last night, but rather than grab a hat-trick, he graciously allowed Giroud to take the spot kick.

Walcott said: “There was a chance for me to take the penalty for a hat-trick but knowing Olivier was on 99 goals, it was a great opportunity for him so that's why he took the penalty."

Arsenal have won their two opening Europa League games and travel to Serbia to take on Red Star Belgrade next.

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