Olivier Giroud has revealed something in his “soul and heart” convinced him to stay at Arsenal.
The 30-year-old was the subject of interest from a host of European sides, including West Ham, Marseille and Borussia Dortmund, earlier in the summer as Arsenal lined up deals for strikers Kylian Mbappe and Alexandre Lacazette.
As the £52.7million arrival of the latter approached Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger “opened the door” for Giroud to move on but the France international opted to remain at the Emirates, though that likely means playing second fiddle to Lacazette.
However Giroud offered a timely reminder of his worth on Friday. Along with Aaron Ramsey the substitute inspired Arsenal to overturn a 3-2 deficit and triumph 4-3 over Leicester, scoring a powerful 85th minute header off Granit Xhaka’s corner.
Though Giroud had grown frustrated with a substitute’s role last season and admitted to “hesitating” over a possible departure he said there was something deep inside him that convinced him to stay at Arsenal.
“There was something in my soul and in my heart which told me to stay,” Giroud said.
“I've been hesitating because I'm the most happy man when I play and I am on the pitch.
In Pictures | Arsenal vs Leicester | 11/08/2017
“But I keep the faith and I still believe I can have an important part to play this season in the club and I feel good in my head and also physically.
“So I am 100 per cent focused on the club project. I've been through five amazing years here so I felt like the story had to continue.
“There are nice days to come from me in an Arsenal shirt.”
Giroud earned generous praise from his manager after his match-winning contribution, Wenger saying after the win that the France international was “in his prime… at the top of his game” and that the striker’s decision to stay was “one of the great days of the recent weeks”.