For all the goals Olivier Giroud has scored across France, England, Italy and beyond, the one that still defines him came in an Arsenal shirt.
Speaking to L’Équipe, the 39-year-old striker described his extraordinary scorpion kick against Crystal Palace in 2017 as “the best goal of my career.”
“It’s still the scorpion kick with Arsenal,” he said. “With all humility, this action, you’ll never see it again.”
The goal, scored at Emirates Stadium on New Year’s Day 2017 in a 2-0 win over Palace, saw Giroud instinctively flick Alexis Sánchez’s cross off the heel of his left boot while at full stretch, sending it crashing off the underside of the bar and in.
The effort won the FIFA Puskás Award for Goal of the Year and remains one of the most replayed moments of Arsène Wenger’s later years at the club.
Giroud, who joined Arsenal from Montpellier in 2012 for £9.6 million, went on to score 105 goals in 253 appearances, winning three FA Cups and three Community Shields before leaving for Chelsea in 2018. Though not always prolific, his deft link-up play and physical presence made him central to Wenger’s system.
Reflecting on his career, the Frenchman admitted he has always been more showman than poacher. “My best goals aren’t too bad,” he said.
“A showman? Not like the geniuses, the magicians, the dribblers like Neymar, the guys who get the crowd on their feet with their moves, but in another way, yes, I am.”
Now at Lille OSC after spells with Chelsea, AC Milan and Los Angeles FC, Giroud has scored three times in his first eight games since returning to France.
Despite turning 39 last month, he has not ruled out extending his career further. “It could be one year plus another, but it could just be one, too,” he told L’Équipe. “You can’t have regrets. You have to live in the moment. But 40 is a number I am aware of. It will be a group decision, with my wife and my family.”
With 57 international goals, Giroud is France’s all-time top scorer, though Kylian Mbappé, with 53, is closing in on the record he took from Thierry Henry (51).