Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has defended former teammate Laurent Koscielny after he went AWOL from Arsenal.

The Gunners skipper refused to travel with the squad to the US as he seeks a move away.

Giroud, who left Arsenal last year, said: “Lolo is my good friend. I've known him for 10-11 years. We played together in the second French division. He played for Arsenal for nine years, always behaved professionally, always been an example for young players.

"He was grateful to Arsenal for the opportunity to play in the Premier League. I do not understand how he got into this situation. I am very sad because he is a wonderful person, but the media want to tarnish him.

"I'm not in the club, I don't know what really happened, but I'll say one thing for sure: Lolo is hurting from what's happened."