Giroud hails Arteta as 'great manager' ahead of Arsenal return

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Olivier Giroud will walk back into the Emirates Stadium this evening, not in an Arsenal shirt, but wearing the colours of Lille for a Champions League meeting with his former club. It marks a reunion with Mikel Arteta, the man he once called a teammate and now watches lead Arsenal as manager.

Giroud has announced that this will be his final season in professional football. He returns to north London having scored more than 100 goals for Arsenal before leaving for Chelsea, a move that could have complicated his standing with supporters but has done little to dim the appreciation for what he delivered during his time at the club.

Giroud expects a warm reception

Speaking ahead of the fixture, Giroud said he expects Arsenal fans to give him a warm welcome when he steps out at the Emirates. His performances and goals during his spell in north London remain a central part of how supporters remember him, even after his switch to a London rival.

Having played alongside Arteta in Arsenal's dressing room, Giroud says he already recognised the qualities that would eventually make him a top level manager, which is why he is not surprised by what Arteta has since built at the club.

Giroud praises Arteta's leadership

Giroud spoke in detail about his former teammate's character and the progress he has overseen as Arsenal manager, according to Hayters.

“Mikel is a great person, a great manager and he has shown that with the team he has built,” Giroud said. “The Premier League title proves he has done incredible work, and he was given the time which was very important.”

He added: “I remember Mikel as a player, and you could see he was made for a managerial career because he was a leader on the pitch, but off it, too. He was very demanding with himself, and his team mates and great technically.”

Giroud's comments reflect the respect he holds for Arteta both as a person and as a coach. He remembers a teammate who led by example on the pitch and carried the same demanding standards off it, qualities that Giroud says have only been reinforced by Arteta's progress since taking charge at Arsenal.

The two will be on opposite sides this evening as Lille travel to the Emirates for the Champions League fixture, with Giroud using the occasion to reflect on a career that began its most productive stretch in an Arsenal shirt and is now drawing to a close.