Olivier Giroud reckons Arsenal star released for £0 was one of the best he ever played with

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Olivier Giroud has played with some of the best players in the world during his career, spanning time at Arsenal, Chelsea and in the France national team.

The striker is still playing, featuring for LOSC Lille in Ligue 1 at 39 years old, though some of his peak years are now behind him.

Many of those best years were spent at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger, where he made over 250 appearances for the club with 105 goals scored.

While Olivier Giroud featured alongside the likes of Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott, there is one underrated star from the Gunners who he claims is one of the best he has ever played alongside.

Olivier Giroud picks former Arsenal star Mathieu Debuchy in dream team

Arsenal have had plenty of top players over the years, but it’s one potentially surprising star that Giroud picked for his dream team.

When asked by RMC Sport to pick a right-back for his side, he opted for Mathieu Debuchy, alongside Benjamin Pavard.

Arsenal signed Debuchy from Newcastle in 2014, paying roughly £12 million to sign him as a replacement for Bacary Sagna, who joined Manchester City.

The Frenchman didn’t quite settle at the Emirates Stadium, however, as he made a move to Bordeaux in 2016.

In the end, Debuchy left on a free transfer in 2018, bringing an end to four years at Arsenal, where he only made 30 appearances.

He played alongside Giroud for both Arsenal and France, with 43 matches combined between them.

Since his exit in 2018, Debuchy has played for Saint-Etienne and Valenciennes before retiring in 2023.

Arsene Wenger blocked Mathieu Debuchy from joining Manchester United

In the end, Mathieu Debuchy wasn’t a success at Arsenal, but the story could’ve been very different.

The defender claimed that Arsene Wenger blocked him from joining Manchester United back in 2016, which would’ve seen him join the rivals on loan.

Speaking after his move away from Arsenal in 2018, Debuchy said: “There were some difficult moments at Arsenal, times when, of course, I was angry with the coach.

“I had an opportunity to be loaned to Manchester United, that he rejected, because he didn’t want to strengthen a direct rival at the time.

“There were things said that I didn’t necessarily like. But that’s in the past. That’s how it is, that’s football.”

It’s unclear whether that move could’ve helped reignite the defender in his career, which ultimately ended with some struggle at Arsenal.