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Arsenal set to sign Olivier Giroud for £12m from Montpellier
Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Montpellier striker and France international Olivier Giroud for £12m.
He will have a medical and paperwork will be completed after Euro 2012.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger intends to play him alongside fellow new signing Lukas Podolski and Dutch striker Robin van Persie in a front three.
Giroud's rise
Giroud was playing in French's Ligue 2 as recently as 2010, and only made his international debut last November at the age of 25.
The 6ft 3in forward, who was an unused substitute in France's 1-1 Euro 2012 draw with England, scored 21 goals in his club's run to the Ligue 1 title.
Giroud is one of only two recognised strikers in the French squad, alongside Karim Benzema. He has six caps for his country and one goal.
Earlier this week, Montpellier manager Rene Girard told French radio station RMC that Wenger was leading a chase of top sides for the striker, who became his club's record transfer two years ago when he cost them £1.7m.
"Arsenal are very interested and Giroud wants to play in England. If Arsene agrees with the president, he will sign for them," he said.
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Comment number 104.
hagis_left_peg14th June 2012 - 15:33
From these signings, Wenger´s reverting to the 97/98 model, of a fast,physical #9 (giroud/anelka), a pacy #11 whose leathal on the counter (podolski/overmars), a dutch maestro #10 (rvp/bergkamp) and then a solid midfield three that tucks in and presses high but can also contribute goals (wilshere,song,m´vila/parlour,petit,vieira). What´s missing is a solid back 5 and that´s what wins titles...
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Comment number 103.
Jess Stride14th June 2012 - 13:47
Midfield of Arteta, Wilshire, Song + Ox, Giroud, Ramsey, Walcott, and an attack of Podolski, RVP, we would certainly improve on last term. My Wenger needs to dip a little further to buy a world class centre half although Kosielny was one of our better players last season.
Sack off Bentner, Arsharvin, Djourour, Cocquelin, Chamack, Park,
Link to this (Comment number 103)
Comment number 102.
HenryNorrisDialSquare14th June 2012 - 12:54
Excellent signing. We need a bit of a clear out on strikers i.e. Bendtner, Chamakh. Hope Wenger is keeping a keen eye out for some good talent at the Euro's!
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Comment number 101.
DrO14th June 2012 - 12:17
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 100.
AntonMHSC14th June 2012 - 10:55
jus9ball (92). I'm English but support Montpellier and am gutted about Olivier leaving. You say you watch a hell of a lot of football and you're not being saturated by coverage of Montpellier but, if you were the footie fan you seem to be, there'd be no doubt you'd have heard about our unbelievable title win this season and the massive contribution Olivier made to that. Now to replace him.....
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