Giroud: I chose the wrong time to join Arsenal

08/12/2012 7:45:00 PM

The French striker admitted that he has joined the north London side at a bad time, with the Gunners' only taking 21 points from their opening 15 games

Olivier Giroud left Ligue 1 Champions Montpellier in the summer, and has admitted that he feels he joined Arsenal at the wrong time.

Arsene Wenger's side are currently 10th in the table, having taken 21 points from their opening 15 games to make their worst start to a season under the French manager.

When asked if he felt he joined Arsenal at the wrong time, Giroud told L'Equipe: "Yes. But it puts less pressure on my shoulders. I feel the pressure of the result, not the weight of my predecessors. When you come to a big club, of course you replace a great striker [like Robin van Persie]. It's useless to have that in your head.

"It is up to the new boys to make sure the others are forgotten. We need to be more efficient in all areas of the pitch - to be more realistic and to offer more variety."

The 26-year-old believes that his side are not ruthless enough in front of goal, despite the French international scoring seven goals in 22 games.

Giroud commented: "Arsenal has the culture of the passing game, perhaps too much. I am not staking a claim to be the coach, but I am fortunate to be at a club where we can talk about such things."

The £12 million summer signing also feels that Arsenal should look at his former club, Montpellier, to see a side who win the title without "spending millions".

He continued: "My story proves that you can win titles without being a star. Manchester City became champions thanks to their chequebook. Montpellier took on PSG without using their chequebook. Here we bought Santi Cazorla and he did not cost 50 million! Arsene Wenger does not buy a team. He builds one. He built his group with the philosophy.

"Even though it's been seven years since the club won anything, they have a strong identity. Even if the club lose some of their best players every two or three years, they do not deviate from this philosophy."

Despite the recent run of performances which culminated in Arsenal being booed off the pitch last Saturday following a 2-0 home defeat to Swansea, Giroud believes that the passion of the fans shows the status of the club.

"Once you've integrated as an Arsenal player, it gives you confidence. Fans make you understand that it is an honour to wear this shirt."