Giroud: I did Not Celebrate Because Arsenal 'Changed My Life'

By Joshua Walters

Olivier Giroud has revealed that he did not celebrate his goal in the Europa League final against his former side Arsenal because the club 'changed his life'.

The 31-year-old striker opened the scoring right after half-time as that was his 11th goal in the competition to set his side on their way to a resounding 4-1 win.

After five and a half years at the Emirates, Giroud joined the Stamford Bridge club in 2018 and believes celebrating a goal against them in the final would not have felt right.

"These two clubs changed my life, they gave me the opportunity to play in the Premier League," he told BT Sport.

"I didn't want to celebrate against Arsenal but I am so proud to win this trophy with Chelsea.

"It was a good final and we have been better and more efficient in the second half.

"I am very proud. This team deserved to win something. It was special for me and I am happy for this club.

"When you give me the chance to get game time, I always try my best. It was our second target to win the Europa League after finishing in the top four, so I feel blessed."

The win in the final, saw Maurizio Sarri winning his first trophy as a manager having joined the club from Napoli last season.

The former Montpellier forward scored twice in twenty-seven Premier League games with one assist aside his eleven goals in fourteen Europa League appearances.