Olivier Giroud admits Chelsea were ‘perfect club’ for him after he decided to quit Arsenal

Giroud joined the Blues for a total £18m on an 18-month deal as he searched for more first-team opportunities ahead of this summer’s World Cup with France

Olivier Giroud impressed for Chelsea against West Brom (Getty)

Olivier Giroud has admitted that he decided to leave Arsenal for “perfect” London rivals Chelsea because he needed a “new challenge”.

The Frenchman joined Chelsea as part of a deadline-day pass-the-striker as he replaced Michy Batshuayi, who in turn filled the void left by Arsenal’s new signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Giroud joined for a total £18m on an 18-month deal as he searched for more first-team opportunities ahead of this summer’s World Cup with France.

And speaking as a Chelsea player for the first time, Giroud admitted he needed a fresh challenge after his five-and-a-half seasons in north London.

“It's been a while since I played regularly and that's why I needed to move,” he said after the club’s 3-0 win against West Brom. “I needed a new challenge and Chelsea was the perfect club for me.

“It's the Premier League, a club which has won more titles in the past ten years than any other. It's a massive club and I am very proud to be here and to carry on my career in the Premier League.

“I had five amazing years there (Arsenal), but now it's a new chapter of my career and I am focused 100 per cent on the Blues to reach our targets. I'm very happy to be here.”

Giroud made an instant impression on his first start for Chelsea, as he assisted Eden Hazard for their opening goal against basement dwellers West Brom.