Arsenal star discusses Man Utd and Chelsea signings

Monday, September 10, 2012
10:10 AM

Olivier Giroud says he is not bothered by the pressure to succeed Robin van Persie at Arsenal and admits he has been impressed by Eden Hazard’s start at Chelsea.

The France striker has yet to break his Arsenal duck following his summer switch from Montpellier.

Despite failing to score in his first three games, Giroud insists he is calm about finding his scoring boots.

The 25-year-old says he is not thinking about emulating Robin van Persie, who has scored four goals in his first three games for Manchester United.

“People seem to think [Van Persie] is something that weighs on me, but I know that the manager has confidence in me,” he told FIFA.com.

“He could easily have brought in another forward when Robin left, but he didn’t.

“I’m coming in after someone who scored 30 goals last season, but who took eight years to reach that level.

“I feel that I have less time to establish myself and that there are more immediate expectations of me.”

Of Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, another summer recruit from the French Ligue 1, Giroud said: “I’m not at all surprised at how well Eden Hazard has settled in this league, because he’s very comfortable everywhere he goes.

“He’s a very good player who’s going to give Chelsea quite a boost.”