"BT Sports" television Champions League experts Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand criticized Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud.
The Frenchman started the Champions League match against Zagreb's Dinamo in the starting lineup but did not play very well, and at the end of the half, he received a second yellow card and was sent off the field.
S. Gerrard believes that O. Giroud was ineffective in the field and can only blame himself for the red card, although he admitted that the dismissal was somewhat undeserved.
"He was brought in to hold the ball up front and involve other attacking team players in the game, but the ball just kept bouncing off his foot," criticized S. Gerrard the Frenchman.
"He didn't hold the ball. He can only blame himself for the dismissal, although the second yellow card was somewhat unfair."
R. Ferdinand agreed with S. Gerrard's criticism and insisted that O. Giroud played a "tragic half" and did not fulfill his duties as a high forward.
"I think the dismissal stemmed from his poor performance in the first half," said R. Ferdinand.
"He played a tragic half. He didn't manage to hold the ball up front at all."
"He is a tall striker, his first task is to hold the ball in attack and involve his teammates in the game."
"He should be the team's attacking platform. He didn't do that at all. The anger over his poor performance emerged from that."
Meanwhile, Arsenal fans once again expressed dissatisfaction with their striker – some described his actions as foolish, while others suggested O. Giroud should walk back from Croatia on foot."
