Gone, but certainly not forgotten.
Olivier Giroud’s impressive performance on his Chelsea debut on Monday night hit home hard with the Arsenal fans.
The Frenchman was controversially sold on deadline day during the January transfer window, moving to Stamford Bridge in an £18 million to make way for the arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
And while the Gunners fans certainly welcomed the addition of the former Borussia Dortmund man, not many were comfortable with letting Giroud part after establishing himself as a fan favourite at The Emirates in his five-year spell at the club.
Those doubts were proved right last night after the France international made an impressive start to his career at Stamford Bridge.
Making his first start at the club, Giroud was unable to find the scoresheet for his new side, but certainly played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion.
Not only did he link up gloriously with Eden Hazard to assist the Belgian for Chelsea’s opener, but he also showed some touches and moments of quality throughout that had Chelsea fans purring and Arsenal fans with their head in their hands.
To condone the Gooners misery, their own side have faltered in Giroud’s absence – losing 1-0 in the North London derby to Tottenham and producing one of the most luck-lustre attacking displays of the season so far.
Arsenal fans want their handsome Frenchman back, and sharpish …
https://twitter.com/ArsenalUrban/status/963159400532905985
The way I jumped for that Giroud assist, you’d think he’s still an Arsenal player. Out of club, not out of heart. Love forever
— Trust-fund Daddy (@Yemzine) February 12, 2018
My tweet a year ago about how Arsenal fans undervalue Giroud. https://t.co/fu1bbgqTHN
— Oloye Akin Alabi (@akinalabi) February 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/AssistMkhiOzil/status/963415963554254848
https://twitter.com/iamTestedOkay/status/963170190220554240
https://twitter.com/AFC1Niki/status/963165459704176640
https://twitter.com/isyrafholmes/status/963416089144082433
Cesc hurt. Van Persie really hurt. But Giroud going is a whole new level of hurt. 💔
— Äpes (@apes_86) February 12, 2018