Arsenal: Olivier Giroud ready from massive finale

Last season Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud was still plying his trade in the French Ligue 1 Orange with Montpelier. At that time he was preparing for what would be a nerve racking final day of his club’s campaign that saw them lift the French title with a victory over Auxerre on the last day of the 2011-12 season.

Now once again the forward is preparing for an epic encounter on the final day of his campaign, now with Arsenal, that will see the club make or break their goal of maintaining life in the UEFA Champions League.

Giroud has spent the last three matches on the sideline serving a three match ban while his teammates have kept the club on pace for the top four.

According to comments from Giroud ahead of the match on Arsenal’s official website, he is more than ready for the final challenge:

“We are confident. We won the last game 4-1 after the comeback of Wigan at 1-1. We were under pressure with the score. We needed the win. I could feel the pressure on our shoulders and I think the team had a good reaction and we succeeded to score the second goal with Theo. It was a relief for us…

…Now we have to do the job and keep focused on our qualities and our game. Never mind if they are a little bit relieved, they will maybe play without pressure. I’m not sure but I think it’s better for us.”

The French forward is in contention to play against the Magpies, but with the hot streak that Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski have been riding this past week, he could have a hard time getting into the first team Saturday afternoon.