Cech hails Arsenal star Giroud after stunning strike

Olivier Giroud’s ‘scorpion goal’ may have been a moment of magic, but Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech insists no one should be surprised.

The Gunners striker has struggled for playing time this season, with a mixture of injury and the form of Alexis Sanchez confining him to the sidelines.

But he repaid manager Arsene Wenger yesterday with a spectacular goal as Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 2-0.

And Cech believes the Frenchman will play a big role in the second half of the season, with the Gunners chasing their first Premier League title since 2004.

Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

“I always keep saying that he’s one of those players who you love to have in the team, because he’s a handful and he can score important goals,” he said.

“As we know, he scores important goals, no matter if he starts or if he comes off the bench. He’s always a threat.

“I thought we got control of the game, we got the goal that we needed and we played really well.

“I thought we moved the ball really well, we created chances and it was the same in the second half. What was most important was that we stayed solid at the back and we didn’t concede.”