After a spectacular New Year's Day scorpion kick goal against Crystal Palace, Olivier Giroud laid on two assists and netted a dramatic last-minute equaliser away at Bournemouth last night. But the big Frenchman is still getting slaughtered by Arsenal fans.
Giroud's leveller at Dean Court arrived with almost five of the six minutes stoppage time remaining, but with Bournemouth reeling, the 30-year-old proceeded to pay tribute to his own scorpion kick goal with an elaborate and frankly horrendous celebration rather than join his teammates at the halfway line for a quick restart.
Giroud charged towards the celebrating Arsenal fans while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - match ball in hand - and Gabriel Paulista attempted to drag him back towards halfway. Perhaps realising that, despite having been 3-0 down, a 3-3 draw at Bournemouth could not quite be construed as 'the hallmark of champions', the rangy striker quickly turned away from the fans and trotted back to halfway, much to the annoyance of Aaron Ramsey and the Arsenal contingent who ran back as soon as Giroud scored.
Giroud has scored six Premier League goals for Arsenal this season despite earning just three starts, and has the best minutes-per-goal ratio in the league. But despite changing the game last night, his mentality came under intense scrutiny from Arsenal fans for whom the comeback at Bournemouth left a familiar, bittersweet taste.
Olivier Giroud would have been dropping scorpion celebrations as the Titanic slipped under icy waters
— Kick Arse (@kickarseHD) January 4, 2017
And the worst thing for the haters is he still would have ended up on a lifeboat
— Kick Arse (@kickarseHD) January 4, 2017
Giroud's little scorpion dance, truly bizarre. Concentrate on winning not showing off. Not the mentality of champions.
— Jonathan Goldstein (@jonnysgoldstein) January 3, 2017
4+ mins left in additional time, Gabriel and Giroud goes to the fans to celebrate a score drawing goal. That's not passion. Thats just dumb
— Sufiyan (@chingybooth) January 3, 2017
Giroud celebration to make it 3-3 pretty much sums up the club.Any other team would be grabbing the ball & getting back to go for the winner
— John Morgan (@Jonny_morgs) January 3, 2017
Lol Giroud was doing scorpion celebration instead of looking for a winner.
Un-elite mentality .— kenna (@kennagq) January 3, 2017
On reflection... Giroud is a massive bellend. That scorpion kick celebration. Nah, he needs a slap.
— Brad (@_BradWilko) January 3, 2017
Giroud comfortably MOTM but that celebration for the equalizer was just extra 😩
— Nnamdi Obinwanne (@obisingledigit) January 3, 2017
Currently sitting in fourth position, Arsenal are now eight points off Chelsea having played a game more, and just two ahead of Manchester United. A win for Tottenham at home to Chelsea tonight will see Arsene Wenger's men leapfrogged by their North London rivals.
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