Former Arsenal man claims under-fire Giroud 'hasn't helped himself' ahead of Chelsea clash

Olivier Giroud has had a difficult start to the current season

ALAN SMITH believes Olivier Grioud needs to block out all the criticism he has received but concedes he has done little to endear himself to fans.

 

Giroud has endured a torrid start to the season and his frustrations appeared to boil over as he was sent off against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The Frenchman was even booed by his own fans while playing for France earlier this month.

 

But former Gunners hitman Smith has urged him to ignore the negative comments ahead of the trip to Chelsea on Saturday (12.45pm kick-off).

"I have had plenty of times when my confidence has been low and it happens to every striker," Smith told Arsenal Fan TV.

 

"These days your under the microscope more with social media. [But I'd say to him} just keep plugging away.

"I wasn't like him in that I didn't have a temper and I didn't get on the wrong side of refs too often, but he's French it's that Gaelic temperament.

"He's not helped himself, of course he's not. But he's got a good goal record for Arsenal so he's just gotta keep going and concentrating on what does best. That's all I'd say to him."