LONDON, England, May 8- Olivier Giroud has revealed he was a target for Bayern Munich in the summer but is happy to be at Arsenal.
The France international striker saw a potential move to the UEFA Champions League finalists fall through after Mario Mandzukic caught the eye at Euro 2012.
But the former Montpellier man has no regrets about the fact that he subsequently joined the Gunners because he is enjoying life in the Premier League.
Asked if he had been in touch with Bayern, Giroud was quoted in The Sun as saying: “Not directly but my agent was and it was validated by Bayern.
“They wanted time to watch the Euros and Mandzukic had a good tournament.
“The fact I was wooed by Arsenal is good. I’m very happy here. English football is what I hoped for.
“The people live, eat and sleep football here.”
Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger will resist the temptation to play Theo Walcott centrally more often despite him netting his 20th goal of the season at QPR.
Walcott struck his 13th Barclays Premier League goal of the campaign after 20 seconds as Arsenal won 1-0 at Loftus Road to keep their quest to qualify for next season’s Champions League on course.
Wenger praised Walcott’s improved finishing and goal tally – it is the first time Walcott has hit 20 goals in a season and came on his 200th league appearance – but will continue to utilise the England international in a wide position.
Lukas Podolski was the central striker at Loftus Road, but Walcott was the attacking focal point once the Germany forward was substituted.
“He finished in the middle,” Wenger said.
“I use him on the flank because I try to put a player in the middle who can score goals and having another player on the flank who can score it gives you a little bit of security.
“He (Walcott) is more mature in his finishing. His goal was similar to the one he scored against Manchester United. It’s a short back lift.
“He makes good runs and he is calm now in front of goal. When he arrived [from Southampton], in front of goal the ball could go anywhere.
“Now you see every time he hits the target, he is forcing the keeper into a save.
“That’s why his numbers are so much better.” – Football365.com
