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Olivier Giroud reveals he REJECTED shock Arsenal reunion this summer
Tom Weber
- Updated: 8 Sept 2025 15:28 BST
- 4 min read
News
Lille forward Olivier Giroud has revealed that he rejected the chance to reunite with former Arsenal teammate Laurent Koscielny at Lorient this summer.
The 38-year-old made a shock return to the top flight of French football when he completed a permanent transfer to Lille after a year in Major League Soccer with LAFC.
Giroud had not played in Ligue 1 since leaving Montpellier for Arsenal in 2012, and his chances of ever playing on French soil again appeared to be close to zero when he headed stateside, with many viewing his move to Los Angeles as a last dance before retirement.
Current ETV
Olivier Giroud
F (C)
Lille
Olivier Giroud
F (C)
Lille
ETV Range
€0.8M - €1.2M
It came as a huge surprise when Europa League participants Lille brought Giroud back to his home country, and the veteran forward has already made an impact.
The former Chelsea and AC Milan striker played the full 90 minutes in each of Lille's first two games, and he actually scored in both outings as well. Ironically, Giroud did not feature when Lille ran out 7-1 victors over Lorient, one of the clubs that tried to sign him this summer.
Giroud rejected Koscielny reunioned
Giroud has now revealed in an interview with Canal Plus that he turned down the chance to join the promoted outfit earlier this summer, despite the close relationship he shares with sporting director and former Arsenal teammate Laurent Koscielny.
“He sounded me out,” Giroud said of his former partner in crime. "I was honest with him. I told him that there was a chance the adventure [with LAFC] would end this summer because it didn’t make sense to stay when I wasn’t enjoying myself.
"So he stepped into the breach," Giroud said before describing the 'little project' Koscielny had presented to him. "Lolo and I are close." However, 'Lolo's' hopes were dashed when Lille came calling.
“When I had Lille, I had to say, ‘Mate, these are two different projects. You’re promoted and will be playing to stay up, and with Lille, it is something else. They’re playing in Europe and at the top of the table in Ligue 1.’ He understood.”
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