Published: 10 September, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

SOMEBODY clearly forgot to tell the French fans that their game against Serbia on Monday night was a friendly. 

The home crowd in Bordeaux jeered and booed Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud after he missed a string of glaring opportunities before being subbed just after the hour mark by manager Didier Deschamps. 

Giroud insists he will take the criticism in his stride, adding that he is confident that he will soon be back among the goals.

 “As a striker, what you get used to on a daily basis, is to be applauded when you score goals. When the opposite happens, it’s difficult. Everybody gets criticised one day,” he said. “That’s not the first, and surely won’t be the last time, it happens. I have the mental strength to bounce back. I am going to focus on working hard. I am everything but worried about that. I will bounce back.” 

France went on to win the match on Monday 2-1, adding to the 1-0 victory they secured away to Portugal on Friday. After failing to make an impact during the international break, Giroud will be hoping to rediscover his scoring touch when Arsenal host Stoke on Saturday. 

But he admits that he’s got a few things to work on in training. “At the moment I miss some efficiency. I am going first to enjoy our victories over Serbia and Portugal, and then obviously I’ll have to correct a few things.”