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Olivier Giroud has revealed the parting words said to him by Arsene Wenger after the Arsenal manager sanctioned his move to Chelsea.

Giroud, the France striker, left the Gunners to join their London rivals in January for £18million.

He signed a three-year deal with Chelsea once Michy Batshuayi left Stamford Bridge for Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal had brought in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Giroud, who played for Arsenal for six years, scored his first goal for Chelsea in their 4-0 FA Cup fifth round win over Hull in February.

(Image: Chelsea FC)

“I went to see the coach to ask him where he was with Aubameyang. I put him under a bit of pressure, like my agent, who I spoke to several times a day. It is normal. I did not want to be deprived of going to Chelsea which was the best solution for me," he said, reports the Mirror.

“The coach immediately said to me: 'Don't worry, I will do my best so that you are happy'. On one side, it was normal. I had never asked to leave.

"On the other, I knew that he would not cause problems given the relationship we had always had. He even said to me that it would p*** him off if I did not go to Russia."

Giroud insisted he left Arsenal to become happy again – and he did not join Chelsea for the money.

The Blues forward said: “It was frustrating at Arsenal obviously. For a year and a half, it went from bad to worse. I could no longer continue like that.

"I could not bring myself to spend another year at Arsenal and remain a reserve, even a second reserve. The future looked gloomy with the arrival of a new striker (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang). I wanted to become happier again by playing, so I left – it is as simple as that.”

But the Chelsea deal was not simple with Borussia Dortmund wanting to take the Frenchman on loan to replace the Gabon striker.

“The easiest solution was to go to Dortmund,” Giroud told France Football. “Arsenal were happy, Dortmund as well. It was the offer most interesting financially speaking. I have a very good contract at Chelsea but Dortmund really wanted me.

“It happened after a game of poker, like in all transfers. It dragged on, I started to get stressed because my third child was born at that exact moment.

"That was also why I did not want to go to Dortmund. Spending four months without seeing him, I do not know how I could have done it. It was why, I needed to take the bull by the horns.”

More

Arsenal are in talks to land Corinthians’ emerging star Maycon, according to reports in Brazil.

According to talkSPORT the Gunners have been keeping close tabs on the 20-year-old, who has become a mainstay in the Brazilian club’s midfield.

And now, according to UOL Esporte, Arsenal have now held ‘conversations’ regarding a potential summer swoop for the central midfielder.

It is claimed both Shakhtar Donetsk - who expect to lose Fred - and Napoli are also very keen on luring the youngster to Europe but it appears as though Arsenal have made the first move.

But Maycon is yet to appear for Brazil’s national team which could complicate attempts to secure a work permit.