Olivier Giroud reveals why he left Arsenal for Chelsea

Olivier Giroud switched to rivals Chelsea after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined the Gunners for a record fee, and the 31-year-old revealed he put pressure on Arsene Wenger to leave the Emirates.

"I went to see the coach to ask him where he was with Aubameyang," he told 'France Football'. "I put him under a bit of pressure, like my agent, who I spoke to several times a day. It is normal. I did not want to be deprived of going to Chelsea, which was the best solution for me."

"The coach immediately said to me: 'Don't worry, I will do my best so that you are happy'. On one side, it was normal. I had never asked to leave," he added. "On the other, I knew that he would not cause problems given the relationship we had always had. He even said to me that it would p*** him off if I did not go to Russia."

"It was frustrating at Arsenal obviously. For a year and a half, it went from bad to worse. I could no longer continue like that," said Giroud, who was desperate to leave the Emirates because he could no longer face sitting on the bench. "I could not bring myself to spend another year at Arsenal and remain a reserve, even a second reserve. The future looked gloomy with the arrival of a new striker."