Olivier Giroud continued to prove his doubters in France wrong with a superb goal in the opening minutes of his side’s pre-Euro 2016 friendly with Scotland.
The Arsenal striker was subjected to a chorus of boos during his country’s 3-2 win over Cameroon on Monday, despite converting a sumptuous cross from Paul Pogba just before the interval.
Giroud has been in fine goalscoring form over recent weeks after a dreadful start to 2016, where he went goalless in 15 Premier League games, and took his run to six in four games early on against Gordon Strachan’s side.
A patient move in French territory soon saw Kingsley Coman burst past the visitors midfield, feeding Bacary Sagna on the overlap down the right. Spotting his former Arsenal team-mate on one of his trademark bursts towards the near post the full-back slid in a low cross.
The ball arrived just behind Giroud but, with a flick of his trailing right leg, he took the ball past David Marshall at his near post. In celebration the 29-year-old stared into the crowd whilst thumping and kissing the French badge on his chest. The goal was certainly reminiscent of Jamie Vardy's strike for England in their 3-2 win over Germany... perhaps that's what convinced Arsene Wenger to make a move for him in the first place?
Giroud scored another before the half was over, giving France a 2-0 as he tucked home the rebound from Dimitri Payet's fizzing effort.
It kept getting better for Arsenal's French contingent, Laurent Koscielny heading in his first international goal with West Ham star Payet once more the provider, this time from a corner.
The absence of Karim Benzema continues to dominate the agenda for certain French fans, who believe that Giroud is not up to the standard required to replace to Real Madrid forward.
However Giroud has no intention of letting the critics get to him and said after the win over Cameroon: “I have gone through stages in my career that have been quite complicated, so these things don’t hurt me much, but it is true that it is a shame.
“Being French, playing in France, if we miss a chance we want the fans to encourage us.”
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Giroud may have his work cut out to convince Arsene Wenger of his worth at Euro 2016, with Arsenal expected to sign Leicester and England striker Vardy in the coming days.
