Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has admitted he and his team were surprised at Arsene Wenger’s touchline antics earlier this season at Stamford Bridge as the Gunners went down to a 2-0 defeat.
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The Frenchman was unhappy at a lunge on Alexis Sanchez by Gary Cahill, and shoved Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho backwards before the two exchanged some frank words with each other.
The Arsenal manager later apologised for the on-pitch spat, but Giroud believes his manager’s actions were justified.
Quoted on Sky Sports, he said, “He is very calm most of the time. He’s got good self-control but we were a bit surprised by his reaction. But it’s a human reaction and I’m well placed to speak about that because I’m an emotional player. I don’t keep my feelings for me and that’s why sometimes it happens.
“Honestly, from my point of view I was more proud of that. It shows his character and if he has done that maybe it was justified.”
Giroud also went on to say that a second placed finish would still be good enough for Arsenal after a blistering run of form since the turn of the year, in league and cup.
The Gunners followed up becoming the only side this season to win eight consecutive Premier League wins at Burnley by booking their place in the FA Cup final, dispatching Reading last weekend.
Giroud has scored 10 goals in his last 12 games, and believes a runners-up spot in the league as well as a record breaking 12th FA Cup win would represent a good season.
He said, “We’ve played fantastic football over the last few months and we’ve won our last eight games in the Premier League.
“We want to carry on. I think second will be a good position even if we have a tiny hope to finish first. It’s been a few years since we’ve finished in the top three so it will be a great achievement if we can reach this target.”
Arsene Wenger is still yet to best Jose Mourinho – after 12 attempts – but victory this weekend would keep Arsenal’s title ambitions alive for another week.