Ex- Arsenal striker Ian Wright has slammed former Liverpool star Graeme Souness for his “disrespectful” comments about France forward Olivier Giroud.
The ex-Gunner and current AC Milan frontman became France’s record goalscorer during the World Cup in Les Bleus' 3-1 victory over Poland, helping his nation to book their place in the quarter-finals in the process. The strike left the veteran forward on 52 goals for the French national team - three of which have come in Qatar.
Giroud’s record is already far better than during the previous edition in Russia as despite Didier Deschamps’ men running out victorious, the striker failed to get on the scoresheet. That was a fact not lost on ITV pundit Souness, who suggested that the former Chelsea man is only getting his opportunity this time because of Karim Benzema’s absence due to injury.
Speaking last week, he said: “I’m not his [Giroud’s] biggest fan. I’m just not. Seven games in the last World Cup, he’s a centre-forward in the team that wins it, he’s not had a shot on target.
“I think he’s very lucky. When you mention him in the same breath as Thierry Henry, I’m sorry…
“I would say his record is there for one reason and one reason only: Karim Benzema being out for such a long time, all the controversy he was involved in.”
Do you agree with Ian Wright or Graeme Souness? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Wright has bit back at those claims and suggested that Giroud deserves far more respect for his trophy-laden career and the role he plays in Deschamps’ set-up. Speaking on his Ringer FC podcast, the former Arsenal man said: “We have to give Olivier Giroud praise.
“He’s broken Thierry Henry’s record and long may that last, although it won’t be long with the way Kylian Mbappe is going.
"The thing with Giroud, you see the total lack of respect he gets. Graeme Souness was so disrespectful to him as a player and his goalscoring record. He didn’t give him any credit.
"This guy was in the third tier of French football at 21. Arsene Wenger has said Giroud has had to earn every single thing he’s done to this point.
‘All Souness was saying was “he didn’t hit the target in the 2018 World Cup”. Giroud is essential to every team he’s played in. Goals don’t define him.
“This is what people like Graeme Souness don’t understand. He’s so integral to the team, he’s integral to what players like Mbappe and Dembele do.
“I don’t think there’s a better target man in the world in the way that he links the play, and he scores goals. He’s got to get more love man!”
Giroud will be back in action this weekend as he attempts to add to his record-breaking record. The reigning world champions will be attempting to navigate their way through to the semi-finals of the World Cup as they take on Gareth Southgate’s England. The Three Lions secured their place in the last eight with a relatively straight-forward victory against Senegal.
