Olivier Giroud admits it was a 'clear' and 'obvious' decision to join Chelsea as former Arsenal striker reveals Didier Deschamps urged him to leave

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Olivier Giroud has admitted that he turned down interest from a host of clubs to complete his £18million move to Chelsea.

Giroud made the switch across London from Arsenal to Chelsea on deadline day after the Gunners finally sealed a club-record deal for striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.  

The arrival of the Gabon international meant that Giroud was set to become Arsenal's third-choice striker with Alexandre Lacazette also ahead of him in the pecking order.

Olivier Giroud could make his Chelsea debut against Watford on Monday evening

And with the World Cup in Russia on the horizon, Giroud revealed that French manager Didier Deschamps urged him to change clubs to get some valuable game time. 

He told Telefoot: 'A week before the end of the transfer window, I needed to hear his (Deschamps') opinion. He didn't encourage me to join Chelsea. But he encouraged me to change clubs.

'Dortmund were interested but for a loan deal. There was Sevilla and my agent also received a phone call from Roma. But my choice was quite clear and obvious when I knew that Antonio Conte wanted to work with me.'

Meanwhile, Giroud admitted that it was a 'disappointment' to leave Arsenal after scoring 105 goals for the club since joining in the summer of 2012.

The striker admitted that he wanted to join Chelsea when he knew Antonio Conte wanted him

Giroud explained: 'I had wanted to stay at Arsenal to try my luck even when Alex Lacazette arrived. The reality is that the coach (Arsene Wenger) wanted to recruit another central striker (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang).   

'When he signed, that made three central strikers and that is why I decided to leave.

'It was logical to give my career a new direction. There was a bit of disappointment even if I spent five magnificent years there.'

The 31-year-old could make his debut for Chelsea when they take on Watford at Vicarage Road in the Premier League on Monday night.  

Giroud scored an impressive 105 goals for Arsenal during his time in North London