Olivier Giroud has received praise from France head coach Didier Deschamps for responding to a “difficult season” at Arsenal with his first international hat-trick on Friday.
The 30-year-old striker scored the first three goals for his side in their 5-0 drubbing of Paraguay in Rennes, with Moussa Sissoko and Antoine Griezmann also on the scoresheet.
Giroud’s strikes was France’s hat-trick since David Trezeguet back in 2000, while it took his tally to 16 goals in his last 16 starts for his country.
His impressive international form has continued despite struggling for game time at Arsenal, with manager Arsene Wenger handing him only 11 starts in the Premier League last season.
“He’s our best goalscorer, he continues to score and when he doesn’t, someone next to him often scores,” Deschamps told RMC. “He responds even when he’s had a difficult season with his club.
“But even there, with little playing time, he is still effective. So I’m happy for him.”
Deschamps was pleased with the emphatic nature of the win as France prepare for a World Cup qualifier against Sweden next Friday.
“It’s a good thing. Our forwards scored, it’s very good. Now I know that we’ll have a very different game against Sweden,” he said.
“As an opponent, they’re ranked just beneath us. Getting a good or very good result there will put us in an even better position to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
“It’s better to have played a match where we had confidence. The whole group was very focused on this match so that we could prepare as best as possible for the one that awaits us.”
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The 30-year-old striker scored the first three goals for his side in their 5-0 drubbing of Paraguay in Rennes, with Moussa Sissoko and Antoine Griezmann also on the scoresheet.
Giroud’s strikes was France’s hat-trick since David Trezeguet back in 2000, while it took his tally to 16 goals in his last 16 starts for his country.
His impressive international form has continued despite struggling for game time at Arsenal, with manager Arsene Wenger handing him only 11 starts in the Premier League last season.
“He’s our best goalscorer, he continues to score and when he doesn’t, someone next to him often scores,” Deschamps told RMC. “He responds even when he’s had a difficult season with his club.
“But even there, with little playing time, he is still effective. So I’m happy for him.”
Deschamps was pleased with the emphatic nature of the win as France prepare for a World Cup qualifier against Sweden next Friday.
“It’s a good thing. Our forwards scored, it’s very good. Now I know that we’ll have a very different game against Sweden,” he said.
“As an opponent, they’re ranked just beneath us. Getting a good or very good result there will put us in an even better position to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
“It’s better to have played a match where we had confidence. The whole group was very focused on this match so that we could prepare as best as possible for the one that awaits us.”
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