Olivier Giroud insists he won't replace Robin van Persie at Arsenal FC

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by Crunch Sports Staff

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French forward Olivier Giroud salutes supporters at the end of the Euro 2012 football championships quarter-final match Spain vs France on June 23, 2012 at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk (credit: DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/GettyImages)

New Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud insists he has joined the club to play alongside Robin van Persie next season.

Giroud, who has become Arsenal's second signing of the summer following the recent arrival of Germany forward Lukas Podolski, has also revealed he rejected the chance to join European champions Chelsea prior to agreeing to sign for the Gunners.

Speaking to French newspaper L'Equipe, the 25-year-old said: "Why did I choose Arsenal rather than Chelsea? Because it is a club I love. And I thought it would be easier for my adaptation.

"Arsenal is a great club, the facilities are wonderful, but I feel it is a club that takes big care before signing a player, notably considering human values.

"There are French players. There is also Arsene Wenger who let me understand he really wanted me.

"Chelsea is very nice, it is a great club, but I am not convinced [Roberto] Di Matteo knows who I am."

Van Persie, who has been linked with Manchester City and Juventus after putting contract talks on hold, only has a year left on his existing deal at Emirates Stadium.

But Giroud added: "When you make the decision to join a great club, you know there is already a great forward.

"I know what to expect.

"Van Persie is a fantastic player who was outstanding last season. He has been at Arsenal for eight years, I hope I will have time to adapt and improve.

"Anyway, I don't go there to take his place."

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