Olivier Giroud has caused some controversy in the wake of Chelsea's 4-1 Europa League final victory over Arsenal, having been filmed thanking his former club as the Blues left the Olympic Stadium in Baku.
Giroud left the Gunners in January of 2018, signing an 18-month contract with Chelsea after spending six years at the Emirates, having built a cult following after taking in 180 Premier League appearances and scoring 73 goals.
The Frenchman lifted the FA Cup three times with an Arsenal side that have not tasted glory in a European competition since 1994, but has since gone on to win the World Cup and the Europa League since switching London allegiances.
Watch the Champions League Final June 1 LIVE on DAZN CA
It was Giroud himself in fact who opened the scoring in Azerbaijan, expertly nodding Emerson Palmieri's cross past a helpless Petr Cech before delivering an assist for Eden Hazard, who notched the Blues' third and fourth goals in the rout.
There was no lack of celebrations from the 32-year-old, however, who might have been expected to tone down his excitement as a sign of respect for the club he represented between 2012 and 2018.
Indeed, Jorginho took to Instagram as he and his team-mates made for the team hotel, streaming a live video of the players celebrating as they travelled. In it, a jubilant Giroud can be clearly seen and heard exclaiming 'Thank you, Arsenal!' as he lifted the European trophy.
Olivier Giroud is a savage for this 😳 pic.twitter.com/M7LbcEKVNZ
— Goal (@goal) May 30, 2019
As one would imagine, the striker's exclamation caused some agitation among Gunners fans, many of whom took to social media to vent their frustrations at a player whom they had spent six long years supporting.
“Wow, Premier League clubs have no loyalty or respect. Giroud is terrible!” one fan said, while another posted a broken heart emoji alongside a snake, with the words: “Still can't believe I clapped and sang for Giroud at the Emirates.”
Fan ire may well have been exacerbated by Giroud's comments that followed shortly after full time, in which he said: “These two clubs changed my life, they gave me the opportunity to play in the Premier League.
“I didn't want to celebrate at Arsenal but I'm so proud to win this trophy with Chelsea.”
