GIROUD ON MATCH OF THE PRAY
OLIVIER GIROUD has revealed that he prays to Jesus during games for help.
The Arsenal striker (above), who hit the net twice for France in Luxembourg on Saturday, has such strong faith that he has the psalm “With the Lord as my shepherd, I shall not want”, tattooed on his arm.
Giroud said: “I grew up with Christian values and I have always felt security conforming to them.
“These serious words on my arm reassure me. I know that if I need something, help, I can pray.
“I have prayed in the middle of a match. Sometimes, when things aren’t going as well as you would like, you ask for the help of Jesus.
“That helps me concentrate again. To focus on what is important.
“Speaking to him allows me to clear my head. It only lasts a few seconds, but it enables me to get rid of my frustration.”
Giroud has suffered a difficult season with Arsenal after losing his regular starting place under boss Arsene Wenger (above).
“The most difficult moment was after scoring an important goal against Manchester United. I thought I had scored some points and I would start against PSG in the Champions League, but no,” he told L’Equipe Magazine.
“So I asked to speak to the coach to understand. I accept his decisions but I tell him what I think, without being negative or antagonising. There are no misunderstandings between us.”
Arsenal have lost four of their last five Premier League games and risk missing out on Champions League qualification for the first time under Wenger.
“For five years we have had these sorts of sensations and we always finished in the ‘Big Four’,” Giroud said.
“The team does not feel that pressure, which you describe from the outside. The coach regularly tells us to ignore what is going on around us and to let him deal with the critics. He says, ‘Play, I will deal with the rest’.”
After his brace, Giroud insisted: “Whatever people say about me, I just focus on the pitch and working with humility.”
France keeper Hugo Lloris said: “It is good for Olivier – he needed goals and is part of Les Bleus.”