France

Four first-team players were in action for their respective countries on international duty, while some Ladies also featured during international friendlies.

Olivier Giroud’s hat-trick against Paraguay during a 5-0 rout was France’s first for 17 years, yet the 30-year-old is continually criticised by the media and supporters alike, who bemoan the notable absence left by Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema in the squad.

Olivier Giroud revealed that he offers his guidance to Kylian Mbappe while the two of them play together for the France national team.

Arsenal are the first in line for Karim Benzema, after reports recently emerged he could leave Real Madrid this summer.

France manager Didier Deschamps has backed Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud to continue scoring goals for Les Blues.

Atletico Madrid and France striker Antoine Griezmann paid tribute to Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud after his hat-trick on international duty.

Olivier Giroud continued his impressive goal-scoring form for France with a hat-trick during their 5-0 international friendly win over Paraguay on Friday evening.

Something that has remained in tact this season, no matter what was being written about him in the press, is Didier Deschamps’ unwavering faith in Olivier Giroud.

Olivier Giroud recently became France’s 10th highest goalscorer but the striker insists he doesn’t plan on stopping there.

Karim Benzema has decided that the best way to get back at Olivier Giroud for taking his place in the France national team is to get petty.

Alexis Sanchez, Laurent Koscielny, Olivier Giroud, Mohamed Elneny, David Ospina, Joel Campbell and Ainsley Maitland-Niles have all been in action for the respective countries.

Olivier Giroud got on the scoresheet twice for France as they beat Luxembourg on Saturday night.

Mesut Ozil has been left out of yet another shortlist, this time Uefa’s 40-man shortlist for 2016 team of the year.

It seems that former Arsenal man, Samir Nasri, remains unconvinced by Olivier Giroud, despite the striker having a solid Euro 2016 tournament.

Didier Deschamps has admitted that he might not start Olivier Giroud against Sweden as the striker isn’t 100% fit.

Tottenham goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris, has apparently dubbed Laurent Koscielny as one of the best defenders in the world.

Olivier Giroud, Shkodran Mustafi and Nacho Monreal have all received call-ups ahead of the international break next week.

Former France international, Christophe Dugarry, had high praise for Arsenal’s centre back, Laurent Koscielny recently, calling him the ‘real leader’

Real Madrid defender, Raphaël Varane, hailed Laurent Koscielny’s contribution to France’s 1-0 win over the Netherlands on Tuesday night.

Laurent Koscielny came under all sorts of scrutiny for a hand ball which wasn’t really a hand ball during Arsenal’s 1-0 win against Burnley and now it’s happened again.