Giroud urged French team-mate to join Arsenal

Arsenal were, as always, linked with almost every player imaginable this summer in our journey to try and find the ‘perfect fit’ for this Arsenal side. Arsene Wenger eventually got the targets he wanted late on in the window, however one name that popped up on many an occasion was the former Newcastle man Moussa Sissoko.

Moussa Sissoko was linked with Arsenal for a while this summer, whilst his association with the Gunners in transfer windows had also been present in the past. It seems that Wenger has kept his eye on the former Newcastle man from time to time, however there’s little chance of Wenger going in for him now, considering he’s recently signed for North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Sissoko joined Spurs in a staggering £30 million deal from relegated side Newcastle United on transfer deadline day, after a whole summer of speculation. £30 million is way over the top for Sissoko in my opinion, because although the French international has shown both quality on a domestic and international scale, his inconsistency and apparent attitude doesn’t bode well for the player when it comes to a club demanding a fee in the excess of £30 million.

According to Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, before Sissoko’s move to Spurs, the pair actually spoke about the possibility of Sissoko signing for Arsenal. Of course that didn’t turn out to be the case, however when Speaking to Le10 Sport, Giroud said: ‘I told him to give Arsenal the priority. It’s true it was special denouement. Until the end he didn’t know what he’ll do. It (the transfer) is good for him. I think it was quite a long month for him so it’s good that something could have happened even in the very last moments. It’s great for him.

Personally from what we heard from Sissoko himself earlier on in the summer about his obvious love for Arsenal, I don’t think the midfielder needed any convincing from his national compatriot. Instead it seems that although Arsenal and Arsene Wenger may have held some interest in the 27 year old, ultimately he wasn’t exactly what we needed and at £30 million, I think it was best for us to steer well clear of Moussa.

On a little side note, Giroud continued to say the following in the interview, which I’m sure will not go down too well with many Arsenal fans. Giroud reportedly said: ‘Tottenham is a great team in our league. Obviously we all wanted for him after his good Euro and great performances, that he joins a Premier League club. In the Premier League Tottenham are an opponent for the trophy this year. I hope he will not be in good conditions against us.’

We all saw last year how Tottenham did show quality in their results to get where they did (before we pipped them on the final day) but I get the feeling that there will be plenty of fans who aren’t best pleased about Giroud’s comments on Spurs. At least he wished Sissoko no luck when it comes to playing up against our North London rivals! The pair are currently both away on international duty with France.