Jack Wilshere has warned England about his ex-Arsenal team-mate Olivier Giroud who is ‘in the shape of his life’ for France at the World Cup in Qatar.
Giroud has made history at the 2022 World Cup, becoming France’s all-time record scorer following the 3-0 victory over Poland in the last 16 on Sunday.
The 36-year-old AC Milan striker, who used to play for Arsenal and Chelsea in the Premier League, has scored three goals across France’s four games in Qatar.
Giroud helped AC Milan win the Serie A title last season – scoring 23 goals across 57 games – and will be trying to knock out Gareth Southgate’s side on Saturday.
He registered 105 goals in 253 games during his time at Arsenal as the north London club lifted three FA Cups.
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At Chelsea, Giroud won the Champions League and Europa League as well as a fourth FA Cup.
Despite his impressive career he has received recent criticism, with Graeme Souness describing him as a ‘lucky anomaly’ who is hugely overrated.
But former Gunners midfielder Wilshere lauded the Frenchman as he told The Sun: ‘What about my old Arsenal team-mate Olivier Giroud.
‘If anything, the AC Milan striker has got better since moving to Italy and leaving the Premier League behind where he struggled to get a starting place.
‘He’s in his mid-30s but he’s in the shape of his life and his finish for the first goal against Poland was real class.’
Wilshere has also defended Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson, who scored in England’s 3-0 victory over Senegal in the last 16 on Sunday.
‘Let’s hear it for the men who allowed [England] to play that way, Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice,’ Wilshere added.
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‘You hear fans criticising almost every time the Liverpool skipper gets selected – but his team-mates know how important he is.
‘Jordan gives the team that extra insurance and he is also capable of popping up on the end of things, as he did for the opening goal.’
MORE: Phil Foden sends warning to France as England beat Senegal to set up quarter-final clash
MORE: Kylian Mbappe scores twice as France ease past Poland into World Cup quarter-final
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