Much-loved former Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud has revealed the reason he left the club in the January transfer window.

Giroud, who scored 105 goals for the North Londoners during his five and a half year stay at the Emirates told France Football he saw his ‘future darken’ with the arrival of record £56 million signing from Borussia Dortmund, Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang.

Giroud, joined London rivals Chelsea for £18m on the final day of the window last month after admitting boss Arsene Wenger allowed him to leave after he put pressure on the long-serving Frenchman.

Speaking to the French weekly football publication he said: “I went to see the coach to ask him where he was with Aubameyang.

“I put him under a bit of pressure...It is normal. I did not want to be deprived of going to Chelsea, which was the best solution for me.

“The coach immediately told me: ‘Do not worry, I’ll do my best to make you happy.’

“I knew he would not put a spoke in [the [process], given the relationship we’ve always had.“

Giroud swapped the prospect of playing against Swedes Ostersunds in the Europa League for the chance of appearing in the Champions League on Tuesday evening with the Blues set to host La Liga giants Barcelona.

However the 31-year-old insists his first choice would have been to stay at Arsenal – until the arrival of the 28-year-old Gabon forward.

Giroud explained to France Football: “The family choice, it would have been to stay at Arsenal.

“Since the beginning of my career, the order of priorities has always been: first the athlete, then the family, then the money.

“[But] at Arsenal, the future darkened with the arrival of a new striker. I wanted to be happy again by playing, so I left.”

Giroud was interviewed by France Football’s Arnaud Tulipier. Follow him @Tulipier and visit www.francefootball.fr to read more.