Arsenal confirm Giroud signing

Arsenal have confirmed the capture of Olivier Giroud on a long-term contract from Montpellier.



Giroud's arrival has been expected for some time but he only agreed personal terms with the Gunners on Monday night following the completion of a medical.



The 25-year-old joins Arsenal from Montpellier, where he enjoyed a two-year spell scoring 21 times in 36 league appearances, ending the season as the joint top goalscorer in Ligue 1 last season.



“We are delighted to have secured the signing of Olivier Giroud," manager Arsene Wenger commented. "He has a very good physical presence and is exceptional in the air, with a great work ethic.



"We are excited about Olivier joining us and he will add an additional dimension to our attacking options next season.



"He has proved that he is capable of performing at the top level with club and country, and we saw what a big influence he was in Montpellier’s championship-winning side last season. We all look forward to Olivier joining us and seeing him play in an Arsenal shirt."



Giroud was a member of the France side that were knocked out of Euro 2012 at the quarter-final stage and he is looking forward to the challenge of playing in the Premier League.



“I am delighted to be here at Arsenal and to be part of one of the great teams in English football. It's a huge satisfaction to join this great club and it’s been a dream since I was young to play in the Premier League," he said.



“I was attracted by the philosophy of football and Arsene Wenger’s 'touch' at this club. I have always admired Arsenal with its great history and reputation, and I now hope to achieve great things here. I’m very proud to be a Gunner and I will give my best for all the Arsenal fans.”



Giroud's contract will officially commence on July 1.

Arsenal close to completing Giroud deal

Arsenal are on the brink of sealing a £12-million (S$23.9-million) deal for Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud, with formal confirmation possible within the next 48 hours.



Giroud, who was the top scorer last year in France's La Ligue, is currently in Ukraine with Laurent Blanc's France squad but the official completion of a deal is now extremely close both with Montpellier and the player.



The Daily Telegraph revealed in April that Arsene Wenger had asked for regular scouting reports on Giroud and, having followed that interest up with a formal bid, it is understood that the two clubs are now completing the paperwork on the deal. Barring any unexpected late hitches, Giroud will become an Arsenal player.



Arsenal have already signed Germany striker Lukas Podolski for £11.9 million this summer, with the arrival of another leading striker certain to intensify scrutiny over the future of Robin van Persie.



Arsenal, though, remain determined to keep Van Persie and regard the arrivals of Podolski and Giroud as key to persuading their captain to extend his contract.



Podolski is most likely to play to the left of an attacking three, while Giroud will be regarded as crucial backup to Van Persie, especially as the Dutch forward can only be held at the club until the completion of his contract next year. What Giroud's arrival would underline, however, is that Wenger is determined to overhaul his strikers this summer and the club will listen to offers for Marouane Chamakh, Nicklas Bendtner, Carlos Vela and Park Ju Young.



Vela and Bendtner have finished loan spells at Real Sociedad and Sunderland respectively, while Chamakh and Park were conspicuous last season by their collective lack of impact in support of Van Persie. Between them, they scored just two goals.



At 1.9m tall, Giroud would certainly provide a powerful physical presence and a different sort of option to Van Persie. The 25 year-old was central to Montpellier's unexpected success in winning the French league, scoring 21 goals. Giroud scored his first international goal in the 2-1 win over Germany at the end of February and is in the France squad that is in the same group as England at Euro 2012, although he did not feature in Monday's 1-1 draw.