Olivier Giroud

Olivier Giroud spoke to Laurent Koscielny about the north London club

New Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has spoke of how France international colleague Laurent Koscielny helped convince him to join the Gunners.

Last season’s Ligue 1 top scorer yesterday completed a £12million transfer to the Emirates and spoke to his team-mate before completing a ‘dream move’.

“We talked a lot,” said the 25-year-old. “I asked him about life, the club and the environment of the club. We talked about English football because I’ve wanted to play here since I was a kid. It was my dream to play in the Premier League so Arsenal was ideal for me and Laurent told me it was a good choice.”

“Arsenal is a big English team that is well known in France,” added Giroud, who idolised Gunners record scorer Thierry Henry. “There are lots of French players who were a success here like Henry, [Sylvain] Wiltord, [Robert] Pires and many others.”