Hector Bellerin hails Arsenal ace Olivier Giroud

HECTOR BELLERIN has hailed Olivier Giroud for defying his Arsenal critics and bouncing back to lead their top-four charge.

Hector Bellerin says he knew Olivier Giroud would hit backSTUART ROBINSON

Hector Bellerin says he knew Olivier Giroud would hit back

Striker Giroud was mercilessly heckled by the Emirates crowd last week as he missed a hatful of chances in the Champions League defeat by Monaco.

But put the French striker on the pitch in a league game and the 28 year old cannot stop scoring.

It was Giroud who grabbed the first goal on Wednesday night as the Gunners won an edgy game 2-1 at struggling Queens Park Rangers to strengthen their hold on third place in the Premier League and qualification for next year's Champions League.

That made it eight goals in 10 starts in league games for the centre forward.

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And Bellerin said: "It was tough for him against Monaco. Everyone saw that. He knows it.

"But he has made himself big and he knows that the team are behind him and helping him.

"He does not let it affect him. He takes it on the chin, he works hard.

He knows he has the backing of all the players and the fans."

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