Olivier Giroud celebration for Arsenal was 'personal indulgence', says Charlie Nicholas
Saturday 7 January 2017 20:18, UK
Charlie Nicholas says Olivier Giroud's celebration in Arsenal's 3-3 draw against Bournemouth was a "personal indulgence".
The France international levelled in the second of six added minutes in the dramatic draw, which had seen Arsenal 3-0 down with just 20 minutes remaining on Tuesday evening.
Giroud had already set up two goals before netting the equaliser with a header, but instead of running back to the centre circle to start the game again, the striker performed a personal celebration near the travelling fans, mimicking his scorpion-kick goal against Crystal Palace a few days earlier.
Nicholas, speaking on Soccer Saturday, was not happy with Giroud, and says he should have been running back with his team-mates.
"They came back and got to 3-3, and when they got to 3-3 he celebrates in a personal indulgence, Giroud," he said. "Personal indulgence. Go and win the game 4-3 and then take your personal indulgence.
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"The big fella has been different class when he's come in, he's waited a long time.
"I'm sorry but this is 3-3, Arsenal are supposed to be going for the title, are you grateful for a point?
"There's no two ways of looking at it. Arsenal were useless. They were an absolute joke for so long."
One man who wasn't grateful for a point was Alexis Sanchez, who was visibly annoyed at full-time, throwing down his gloves as he walked off the pitch.
The Chilean star's contract runs out at the end of next season, and Paul Merson can't believe Arsenal have not yet secured a deal, insisting the club should give him whatever he wants.
"It does make you think when you see that [Sanchez's reaction]. This should have been signed three weeks ago. There should have been no negotiations, they should have said: 'How much do you need?' and they should have just given it to him. Put it to bed.
"Now all of a sudden you see other teams like Juventus starting to get busy. He's probably looking and thinking: 'I want to win stuff', I don't think he's interested in having 23 cars and a 28-bedroom house, I think he wants to win trophies.
"If it means going to Juventus and winning the league, and having the chance of winning the Champions League, I don't see why not. I don't see there's too much difference.
"Juventus are a great football team as well, don't forget, just because we don't see them on our TVs a lot. They're a top team still."
