‘Everyone underrates’: Gary Lineker says £18m star Arsenal sold is a ‘hell of a player’

Gary Lineker says former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has had an ‘amazing career’.

The former England striker turned presenter thinks Olivier Giroud is someone who ‘everyone underrates’, but his CV speaks for itself, as he told Match of the Day Top 10. 

Five years after the France international left Arsenal for Chelsea for £18 million (Sky Sports), he is still going strong in the colours of AC Milan.

The 37-year-old won the Serie A title with AC Milan in 2021/22 and then proceeded to help them to the Champions League semi-final last season.

And during this campaign, he has four goals from eight league games, with Milan one point behind bitter rivals and leaders Inter in the table – watch the remarkable footage of Giroud recently playing as a goalkeeper.

Nonetheless, when Gary Lineker was discussing Olivier Giroud, he was debating the top ten Premier League assists of all time.

The Frenchman was named third on MOTD’s all-time list for THAT Arsenal team goal against Norwich City, which was assisted by the Milan star himself and tucked home by Jack Wilshere.

That got Lineker talking about Olivier Giroud’s career and the success he has had, despite his previous struggles at Arsenal. 

Olivier Giroud’s assist v Norwich City
“He’s a funny player, Olivier Giroud in many ways,” said Lineker. “He is a player that everyone underrates.

“I mean he has had an amazing career. Very long career. Very successful. Scored goals. Won the World Cup. He is the top-scorer, ever, for France, and I know all records are being broken now because of the way European football is broken up and you play lots of weak nations. But it’s still a remarkable statistic. He went past Thierry Henry.“He had these moments of magic. That particular double one-two (assist v Norwich). Then the scorpion and that ridiculous goal (v Palace) that won awards. Hell of a player.”

Olivier Giroud’s career
From lifting the World Cup to winning the Champions League, it’s a career that many, many people would be proud of if they were able to showcase it.

Giroud won the league title in France with Montpellier, as well as helping Milan back to glory after years and years without the big prize.

Then it’s the fact that he is above the likes of Michel Platini and Thierry Henry in terms of being France’s all-time leading goalscorer.

That player who was once struggling and being criticised at Arsenal has now had a stellar and quite remarkable career.

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