Olivier Giroud: Arsenal finishing fourth and winning FA cup would be a good season

Giroud in action for Arsenal

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has most likely ticked off the club’s fans after he stated that a fourth placed finish in the Premier League would be a success for his team The Metro reports.

The Gunners began their season on a brilliant note and were leading the table by the time it was Christmas only to squander their lead after the new year and are now battling with a high flying Everton side for a fourth placed finish which will guarantee them Champions League football next season.

In an interview with the Mirror Giroud was quoted as saying:

‘There are three league matches left that are all as important as the cup final. They are important, because of fourth place and the Champions League. We have closed the book on the FA Cup, we will open it again on May 17.

‘If we finish fourth, we have not lost anything and it will be a good season. I think that if we finish fourth, that will be a successful season. And the FA Cup, if we win, would be a bonus.

‘To finish fourth is almost crucial for the club. We would like to end well and finish fourth.

‘At a club like Arsenal, there is a level of public expectation. I know some fans were unhappy with our defeat against Everton, because that was a match against rivals for fourth. I know some were unhappy but we responded well in the next game and showed our strength of character.

‘It is essential to respond collectively to show we are going in the right direction. If we finish fourth, and if we can also win the FA Cup, it will be a good season all the same. We will have a trophy that we have waited for.

‘Yes, it is true, there was a lot of expectation this year, because we were first for a long time, but unfortunately we had injuries, but we will go again next year.’

The Gunners will hope to end their decade long trophy drought when they face Hull City in the FA Cup finals on May 17.