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Football London
Football London
Sport
Stephen Killen & Tom Coley

Mauricio Pochettino makes brutally honest Olivier Giroud claim amid Arsenal and Chelsea 'hate'

Olivier Giroud become the all-time top scorer for France's men's national team after putting Didier Deschamps' side ahead at half time against Poland in the last-16 of the World Cup.

The AC Milan forward entered the tournament on 49 goals, two behind Thierry Henry's record of 51, but scored twice in the group stage opener against Australia to pull level. Giroud moved ahead of the former Arsenal forward in his next match though - he didn't play again in the group - and helped his team into the lead in Qatar.

The 36-year-old left Chelsea last summer to join AC Milan and has made a name as being one of the best target men in the world. He was an integral part of the 2018 World Cup winning side despite not scoring a goal, and former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino revealed just how tough he is to play against.

READ MORE: Chelsea given ideal Christian Pulisic template that Graham Potter needs for Frank Lampard repeat

Speaking at half-time during the clash against Poland, Pochettino said: "Always I hate Giroud in the past because of Arsenal and Chelsea. He was a player you face and you know was capable of everything. It’s massive. It’s a player, we as centre-backs hated because he’s a killer, inside the box it’s difficult because he’s big, clever - so smart."

Giroud scored twice in 10 matches as a Chelsea and Arsenal player against Pochettino at Tottenham but terrorised his Southampton side with three goals in two games.

Having come back into the team for Les Bleus' knockout stage it demonstrates the trust and skill that Deschamps has in the striker. Although not the dynamic style of forward which has become commonplace in European football, Giroud's goalscoring record is still impressive.

He scored 105 times in 253 games for Arsenal - including 41 assists - as well as 39 in 114 games for the Blues. It leaves him on 90 league goals in England. Now he's overtaken Henry, focus can be turned to winning back-to-back World Cups.

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