• Champions League

Giroud: Arsenal can bounce back against Monaco

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is confident his team-mates can produce a historic comeback in their Champions League last-16 second leg against Monaco on Tuesday.

Giroud was among those singled out for harsh criticism following a poor personal performance in the 3-1 first leg defeat at the Emirates. However, the Frenchman is hopeful they can become the first side in Champions League history to come back from two goals behind in an away leg to progress to the last eight.

"The first leg was a bad day for all the team, but we have not talked about it too much, we needed to focus on our training and how we were going to work," Giroud said after his impressive display in a 3-0 Premier League win against West Ham on Saturday.

"We learn from our mistakes and we will go there with a lot of confidence. We are on a really good run, we trust in our chance to go through and if we create as many chances as we did against West Ham, then we can create hope. We have that experience and we need to show it."

Since attracting criticism for his contribution in Arsenal's first leg defeat, Giroud has gone on to score in every match he has started in since. The forward insisted he has always known how to bounce back and answer his critics.

He told Arsenal's official website: "Football is a sport where you need to have a strong mentality because you have to face some difficulties. Even when you play well and score a lot of goals, if you miss some [chances in a] game, everything is forgotten. You have to have a conscience about it and be aware.

"I know when I play well or not. I know how to bounce back. I used to say that football is an everlasting new beginning. You have to be aware of that and do it.

"I try to bounce back as quick as I can and it's true the boss gave me a chance to do it against Everton. I tried to do it straight away. If you let the doubts enter your head it's even more difficult to cope.

"There are always tough moments like that because we do a hard job. You have to question yourself every week and bounce back. I try to show my answer on the pitch with my mentality. It was nice to do it."

Olivier Giroud says he has always known how to bounce back © Getty Images

Enlarge

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd