No quarter: St Mark’s defence closes down Olivier Giroud

Published: 11 December, 2014
by STEVE BARNETT

ARSENAL stars Olivier Giroud and David Ospina had to be on top of their game for their visit to St Mark’s primary in Holloway on Monday. 

Playing on the school’s new artificial pitch, the kids gave the Gunners stars a testing work-out ahead of their annual charity matchday against Newcastle on Saturday, when the players will donate a day’s wages to the Arsenal Foundation. 

St Mark’s pitch was refurbished with support from the Foundation, the club’s official charity, which has now helped to upgrade a total of 13 pitches across Islington, Camden and Hackney since 2008 – something of which Giroud and his team-mates feel very proud.

“We can see that the foundation has helped to provide these children with a fantastic new pitch, where they will have the opportunity to play football, try different sports and enjoy their time with their friends,” he said.

“That is a very special thing.”