Olivier Giroud wanted more playing time: Arsene Wenger explains decision to sell him to Chelsea

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London, February 4: Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger justified the sale of striker Olivier Giroud to Chelsea, saying the Frenchman wanted more playing time in order to make his country's World Cup squad.

Giroud, Michy Batshuayi and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were involved in a three-way transfer among Chelsea, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund.

Giroud was already behind summer arrival Alexandre Lacazette in the pecking order. The Arsenal number nine made the switch to the London side's arch-rivals Chelsea after they decided to bring in another striker in Aubameyang.

According to Arsenal manager Wenger, Giroud's ambitions of making the national team squad for France at the 2018 World Cup was behind the striker’s decision to leave Arsenal for Chelsea in the January transfer window. Wenger said he would never ideally sell any player to Arsenal's foremost rivals.

"Olivier wanted more playing time - and wants as well to go to the World Cup,” Wenger said. “That is why I opened the door. But he was massively popular here.”

Wenger also said the striker wanted to remain in London and subsequently, was signed by the Blues for £18 million for 18 months.

“Ideally, you don’t want him to go to a rival,” Wenger added.

“But it was very difficult on the family side to leave London.

“We owe him a lot for his exceptional dedication and commitment to the club.”

The France international signed for Arsenal from Montpellier in 2012 and in his five-and-a-half year spell in north London, he scored 104 goals, winning three FA Cups.