TA writer has penned a lengthy feature reflecting on Olivier Giroud's career. When Giroud is mentioned, the word "legend" elicits varied reactions.

To some, he will forever be remembered as a brilliant finisher who created spectacular goals, France's second all-time leading scorer with 57 goals, behind Mbappé's 67. To others, the 40-year-old veteran has proven that players should never be underestimated.

Some Arsenal fans harbor mixed feelings about Giroud due to his inconsistency during his time as the club's primary striker from 2012 to 2018. Now, eight and a half years later, in the twilight of a 20-year career, Giroud returns to Emirates Stadium this week with Lille for a Champions League match.

While he created many shining moments—like his scorpion kick against Crystal Palace in 2017 or the clever assist before Wilshere's iconic goal against Norwich City in 2013—Gunners fans also have unforgettable painful memories.

In 2015, Arsenal suffered a disappointing campaign and exited the Champions League in the round of 16, one of many painful European exits. The 2015-16 season was equally frustrating, as Arsenal went 15 matches without a league goal and finished with 71 points, while Leicester City claimed the title with 81.

When Giroud left the Gunners in January 2018, he was 31 years old, having scored 105 goals in four years at Arsenal and contributing to Arsène Wenger's three FA Cup wins. His reputation as a respected figure has arguably grown more in the five and a half years since leaving Arsenal than during his time there.

Six months after leaving the French national team in summer 2018, he won the World Cup with France. In 2021, he won the Champions League with Chelsea. In 2022, he significantly contributed to AC Milan's first Serie A title in 11 years.

In a recent interview with L'Équipe, Giroud stated that his prime years were between 30 and 32, adding: "This applies especially to strikers. You reach a certain maturity and understand yourself better."

During that period, he matured and gained greater self-awareness.

A decade ago, in the early 2016-17 season at age 30, he reached peak efficiency. While Alexis Sánchez's arrival as a striker reduced his playing time, Giroud earned the nickname "super sub." Half of his league goals that year came as a substitute—6 of 12.

Giroud's first goals came that same month a decade ago. Coming off the bench, he scored twice in a 1-1 away draw at Sunderland, putting his team ahead 3-1. His second goal was a header—a technique that would become his trademark. He finished as Arsenal's all-time leading header scorer in the Premier League era with 27 goals. Half of his 12 league goals that season came from headers, benefiting from Arsenal's mid-season switch to a three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs.

Before Giroud's role became so clearly defined, he seemed like one of Arsenal's most controversial signings.

He joined from Montpellier as Ligue 1 champions and top scorer, but his explosiveness and finishing fell far short of Robin van Persie. It took seven matches for his first league goal, which did little to win over supporters. Given his finishing struggles, it was easy to lose faith, and some fans and media clearly did.

But Giroud was already accustomed to being underestimated. The player who earned 137 caps for France came from Grenoble's youth academy and made 23 Ligue 2 appearances between 2005 and 2007. After scoring just two goals in those 23 matches, Grenoble's new manager told Giroud he wasn't even Ligue 2 standard.

In his L'Équipe interview, Giroud added: "I don't blame him. Not once. Although you shouldn't say such things to a player just starting their career at 19 or 20."

"His words were right, but can you say them to a child? It's hard to accept. I had a very good year in the National division, but afterward I had to prove myself, which is why I went to Ligue 2."

"At that point, I wasn't Ligue 2 standard. I had only played a few matches for Grenoble beforehand, and I started just twice. I hold no grudge against him, and my Christian faith helps me forgive others easily and not hold anger. It allows me to see many things more objectively."

Giroud's "highlight" in the National division came during a loan spell at Istres, where he scored 14 goals in 33 league appearances. He then transferred to Ligue 2 side Tours, scoring 30 goals in 61 league appearances, which caught Montpellier's attention. In the 2011-12 season, he contributed to Montpellier's maiden Ligue 1 title. He received his first national team call-up that season at age 25. His final national team appearance came in 2024 at age 37, making him France's oldest international player.

This perspective proved crucial at Arsenal too. Even during the goal drought early in his first North London season, those who valued Giroud highlighted his technique, link-up play, and positioning as his strengths.

He wasn't the most prolific finisher, but he possessed fundamental skills that were essential to the position, perhaps overlooked at the time.

He wasn't the fastest, but his accuracy crossing to the near post was impeccable. Giroud always knew he couldn't run in behind defenders, so he dropped deep to exchange one-touch passes with teammates around the penalty box—a skill increasingly rare today. Similarly rare was his ability to find teammates making runs and maintain attacking momentum through one-touch passing.

Today's young strikers could learn as much from Giroud's overall game management as from his finishing.

The Arsenal squad at the time featured technical players like Wilshere and Cazorla, and pacey players like Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Sánchez, and he could link them all together.

While Arsenal wasn't truly competitive back then, their football was entertaining, and Giroud was central to their success. This was reflected in his international performances.

Former France manager Didier Deschamps understood Giroud's value well, starting him in six of seven matches at the 2018 World Cup, despite the striker not scoring in the tournament. France's team had faced controversy since 2016 due to Karim Benzema's exclusion from international football. Playing for Real Madrid at the time, Benzema was among the world's best strikers. Giroud's effective play gave Mbappé freedom, allowing the winger to frequently cut inside from the right flank.

At the Qatar World Cup, Mbappé scored four goals to overtake Henry and become France's all-time leading scorer. He helped France reach the final again, though they ultimately lost to Messi's Argentina on penalties, a result that affected Giroud's standing.

Returning to Ligue 1 with Lille in this latest chapter, he said: "After a long career abroad, returning to France was very important and one of the best decisions I've made.

"It wasn't planned, but I've been delighted to receive warm welcomes in every French stadium where I've played."

He acknowledged his family has helped launch his farewell tour, and he considers it fortunate that his former club Arsenal is now part of it. His turbulent North London days and his mockery of Arsenal after leading Chelsea to victory over them in the Europa League final may not guarantee him a warm reception upon his return to Emirates Stadium.

However, considering he is 40 years old, has achieved such remarkable success, and has maintained such accomplishments despite being underestimated countless times, he deserves recognition. Whenever he decides to retire, his brilliant moments will be forever etched in history.

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