Arsenal fans distraught as Olivier Giroud seals £18m transfer deadline day move to rivals Chelsea
- Arsenal fans have bid a tearful farewell to French striker Olivier Giroud
- The 31-year-old has ended his five-and-a-half-year stay at the Emirates
- Giroud lifted three FA Cups and scored over 100 goals for the Gunners
Arsenal fans on Twitter were left devastated on Wednesday after the departure of striker Olivier Giroud was confirmed by the club.
The Frenchman has left Stamford Bridge after five-and-a-half years at the club after an £18m fee was agreed between the two.
And after 105 goals in 253 appearances, Gooners are bidding a tearful farewell to the striker who lifted three FA Cups and scored a winning goal against bitter rivals Tottenham in 2013.
Olivier Giroud holds up a Chelsea shirt after completing his transfer from Arsenal
The club tweeted their own heartfelt message to the 31-year-old: 'For the scorpion kicks, the bullet headers, the late strikes, the north London derby winner, the FA Cup final assists, the 105 goals, the 253 appearances and for all the hard work and dedication, we want to say... THANK YOU, OLIVIER GIROUD'
Giroud responded: 'I spent five and a half amazing years within the Arsenal family. This beautiful story ends today.
'Thank you for your warm welcome. I would like to especially thank the fans for their unconditional support upon my arrival #nananana #ThankYou'.
Arsenal's tweet was filled with replies from emotional fans who declared they were 'really not okay with this'.
Giroud's sale completes a busy transfer window for the club after the departure of Alexis Sanchez in a swap deal for Henrikh Mkhitaryan last week.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sealed his record-breaking £56m move from Borussia Dortmund earlier on deadline day.
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