'Annoying bogeyman': Van Dijk names former Arsenal star as toughest striker he's faced

Speaking to Gary Neville on The Overlap, the Liverpool star was asked about the most difficult striker he’s faced in his entire career. “Funny enough, Giroud. I feel like I got him but in some way he always managed to score,” Van Dijk said.

“Whether it was with Arsenal, Chelsea or France. I said it to him when we won the league and we won 5-2, we were 3-0 up and he scored a scrappy goal. And I said you scored again!

“I would say that he is the guy that scores against me and just the annoying person. I’m going for Giroud because he’s a bogeyman – annoying!”

Giroud left Arsenal to join their London rivals Chelsea back in January 2018 for a fee worth £18 million. The Frenchman racked up a total of 253 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 105 goals and providing 41 assists.

Giroud has gone on to enjoy a brilliant career, lifting the World Cup with France and Champions League at Chelsea. He won the Series A last season with AC Milan.

Source: The Boot Room