Former Arsenal striker, Olivier Giroud, has admitted he was disappointed that Arsene Wenger brought in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the January transfer window.
Aubameyang became the Gunners’ most expensive player ever, after he completed a £56million move from Borussia Dortmund.
His arrival paved the way for Giroud to join Chelsea in a £18million deal.
“A week before the end of the transfer window, I needed to hear his (Deschamps’) opinion. He didn’t encourage me to join Chelsea. But he encouraged me to change clubs.
“Dortmund were interested but for a loan deal. There was Seville and my agent also received a phone call from Roma. But my choice was quite clear and obvious when I knew that Antonio Conte wanted to work with me.
“There are two central strikers at Chelsea. There will be good competition between us.
“I had wanted to stay at Arsenal to try my luck even when Alex Lacazette arrived. The reality is that the coach (Arsene Wenger) wanted to recruit another central striker (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang).
“When he signed, that made three central strikers and that is why I decided to leave.
“It was logical to give my career a new direction. There was a bit of disappointment even if I spent five magnificent years there.
“I could have stayed but I needed a back-up plan. I wanted to stay in the Premier League and Chelsea was a great opportunity for me.”
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