Olivier Giroud is preparing to return to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening, facing his former club Arsenal as a 40-year-old striker for Lille in the Champions League. The French forward reflects on his time at Arsenal and his career milestones, including the iconic scorpion-kick goal he scored against Crystal Palace in 2017.

Giroud, who turned 40 last month, acknowledges that replicating the acrobatic volley that earned him the FIFA Puskás Award for best goal of 2017 is no longer within his physical capability. “The chance to do it may be zero, but I was younger then. I’m stiffer now! But this instinct, I still have it in the box,” Giroud said. That goal remains a defining moment of his five-year spell at Arsenal, during which he scored 105 goals after joining from Montpellier.

After the 2017 season, Giroud left Arsenal for Chelsea to secure his place in France’s 2018 World Cup squad—a move that proved pivotal in his career. At Chelsea, he added a Champions League title in 2021 to his achievements, having already lifted the World Cup with France in 2018. Despite the success, he described leaving Arsenal as one of the toughest decisions of his career but one necessary for his professional progress.

Giroud expressed enthusiasm about returning to the Emirates on a competitive stage. “Knowing that we had qualified for the Champions League, I secretly hoped to come back here to play at the Emirates — and I am very lucky,” he said. He also paid tribute to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, recalling his leadership qualities as a player and his suitability for a managerial role.

The striker anticipates a warm reception from Arsenal fans despite the challenges he faced during his early days at the club. Giroud empathizes with current Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres, noting the mental pressures that come with playing as the team’s main forward. “It was really tough for me because I scored in my eighth game. It took time. When you come from a smaller club and you sign for a top club like Arsenal, you have to be strong in your head,” Giroud said.

As Giroud approaches the end of his career—he has hinted at retiring after this season—he looks back on his journey with a sense of fulfillment and readiness for his next chapter. His return to the Emirates marks not only a homecoming but also a celebration of a career rich with memorable moments and hard-fought triumphs.