Arsenal Transfers News: Olivier Giroud Is Just Robin van Persie's Replacement

When Arsenal announced the signing of Olivier Giroud from Montpellier over the summer transfer window, Gunners fans around the world were rejoicing at the partnership he would form with captain and star striker Robin van Persie.

But when Van Persie announced he would not be re-signing with the London club at the end of next season, the question then became whether the signing of Giroud was indeed a replacement move for the Dutchman all along.

Turns out the answer is yes.

Arsenal scout Gilles Grimandi has admitted that the signing of Giroud was indeed a replacement for Van Persie, who, at the time, was still in loggerheads with Arsenal about his playing future. 

According to le10sport.com (h/t Mirror Football), Grimaldi has conceded that the Montpellier playmaker was brought in as cover for Arsenal's star striker should he choose to not renew his contract at the Emirates:

"

Was the recruitment of Giroud made to compensate for his Van Persie’s departure? Yes, we worked to avoid being cornered. We want him to stay home but he is left with one year on his contract so it is complicated. At Arsenal, there is a healthy atmosphere, he’s been here for eight years and he has a real commitment to the club

If there is a great offer and if he wants to leave, it will be difficult to keep him. I would never have thought that players such as Thiago Silva could be transferable and that was the case at a time. There are parameters you cannot handle...

"

The news about the true nature of Giroud's signing won't come as a surprise to many Arsenal fans, but it will come as another bitter blow in what is turning out to be a horror transfer window.

Arsene Wenger's men started the summer strongly with the acquisition of Lukas Podolski, and with the signing of Giroud, Arsenal seemingly had created one of the strongest attacks in the English Premier League and would once again challenge right throughout Europe.

Now they've got a captain who doesn't want to be there, players have no idea what's going on and the pressure on Giroud is increasing with every passing day.

The Montpellier striker is no doubt capable and will shine at the Emirates, but with all the pressure and expectation on him to fill the shoes of Robin van Persie, he could be in for a rough first year in the English Premier League.

I mean, after all, he is just a replacement.

Can Olivier Giroud properly replace Robin van Persie?

Comment below or hit me up on Twitter:  Follow @dantalintyre