Olivier Giroud explains the major difference between Arsene Wenger and Antonio Conte
Olivier Giroud explained the one major difference between Arsene Wenger and Antonio Conte ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup clash with Hull City.
The 31-year-old forward scored 105 goals during his six years at Arsenal under Wenger but completed an £18million move to Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window.
Giroud failed to find the net in a comprehensive 3-0 victory over West Brom but scored his opening goal for Chelsea in a dominant first-half performance against Hull on Friday evening.
The ex-Gunner beat David Marshall with a neat strike at the near post following Emerson’s cut-back from the left flank.
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Following his deadline day move, Giroud watched Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth from the stands and Conte’s antics in the dugout immediately caught his attention.
Asked about the difference between Wenger and Conte on the touchline, Giroud told BT Sport: ‘Yeah, from the first game when I was behind bench I was watching the game with big attention.
‘But the coach just a few metres from me – it was special. You can feel he’s still a player in his head. You can tell he wants to help us on the pitch and he can’t just sit on the bench.
‘Strikers need a human relationship with the coach, it’s nice to have confidence with him and you want to give back.’
Giroud stressed that he joined the Blues in January to win silverware.
‘I’m here to win trophies and help the team reach our targets,’ he said.
‘I know the blue shirt well from the national team. My friends say that it suits me well.’
The Frenchman played 61 minutes of Chelsea’s victory over West Brom and believes the performance was the perfect response after two disappointing displays.
‘That’s what the team needed after two disappointing results,’ Giroud said.
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‘It can happen but the most important thing is to bounce back.
‘We must do job then think about next games.’
MORE: Antonio Conte reveals why Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante are missing from Chelsea squad vs Hull
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