Olivier Giroud finally reveals why he left Arsenal

Olivier Giroud joined Chelsea from Arsenal in a move that shocked many. The Frenchman was always a fan favourite at The Emirates and provided the Gunners with another dimension whenever called upon – mostly from the bench.

The man, who scored some spectacular goals in Arsenal colours, however, believes he needed “a new challenge” and Chelsea provides him with exactly that.

'It's been a while since I played regularly and that's why I needed to move,' he told the Daily Mirror. 'I needed a new challenge and Chelsea was the perfect club for me.

'It's the Premier League, a club which has won more titles in the past ten years than any other.

'It's a massive club and I am very proud to be here and to carry on my career in the Premier League.

'I had five amazing years there (at Arsenal), but now it's a new chapter of my career and I am focused 100 per cent on the Blues to reach our targets. I'm very happy to be here.'

First team football has been hard to get for the former Montpellier man who had once led the French side to the Ligue 1 title (15 of his 16 appearances for Arsenal in the Premier League came from the bench).

His tally of 21 goals and nine assists that season (2011/12) caught the eyes of many across Europe – eventually paving the way for his move to North London.

Giroud’s initial days at Stamford Bridge has so far been a mixed bag of sorts. He took to the pitch for the first time in the blue of Chelsea in a 4-1 defeat away to Watford. He then made his first start in the 3-0 win over West Brom.

The 31-year-old is looking forward to his new life as a Blue. Having missed out on the Champions League qualification last season with Arsenal, he will now get to tackle Barcelona in their forthcoming Round of 16 clash in the tournament.

'I am back in the FA Cup and the Champions League, and we are going to take the games step by step,' he added.

'We want to qualify in the FA Cup and then we have big games to come against Barcelona in the Champions League and then Manchester United and Manchester City away.

'That's why we need the confidence high. We just need the momentum.'