Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud must be enduring the worst, most stressful spell of his career in north London.
The French forward, despite scoring in the club’s 2-0 win over Newcastle last Saturday, has failed to spearhead the club’s attack as the fans would have desired, with only two goals to his name so far this season.
And on Wednesday, things turned out for the worse when he was named in the Gunners’ starting lineup for their 2015-16 Champions League opening game.
Arsene Wenger’s crew traveled to Croatia to lock horns with Group F opponents Dinamo Zagreb, but things quickly fell into a downhill spiral for the Premier League side.
After only 24 minutes of play, Arsenal were trailing the home side 1-0 after a cleared ball rebounded off Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain into the back of his team’s own net.
16 minutes later, and the Gunners were down to ten men. Giroud, having picked up a booking a minute prior to Arsenal’s own goal, received a second yellow with only 5 minutes remaining on the first-half due to a late, above-the-knee challenge on one off the opposing players.
40 MINS. RED CARD! Giroud given marching orders for late tackle after earlier caution for dissent #Arsenal #UCL
— The Sun - Football (@TheSunFootball) September 16, 2015
Minute 24 - Dinamo Zagreb take the lead. Minute 40 - Olivier Giroud sees red. pic.twitter.com/E6jaRfqC9J
— bet365 (@bet365) September 16, 2015
Giroud picks up a 2nd yellow for this above the knee tackle
His third red card since arriving at the Emirates back in 2012, Giroud left the pitch, with many on Twitter slamming the already under-fire attacker. Check out some of the best tweets below.
Wenger shakes his head as Olivier Giroud has been sent off. From bad to worse for #AFC as they’re 1-0 down to Dinamo Zagreb.
— Soccerlens (@soccerlens) September 16, 2015
Olivier Giroud's first half by numbers: 56% pass accuracy 4 shots 0 goals 0% aerial duels won 1 red card Oh dear. pic.twitter.com/OCRYPZbCbZ
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 16, 2015
Olivier Giroud: Has now received three red cards since signing for Arsenal in 2012 #AFC #UCL
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) September 16, 2015
Stupid from Giroud but thought the ref was incredibly harsh on both occasions as if he has a personal vendetta against Giroud
— FG (@FunnyGooner) September 16, 2015
Giroud unable to keep his cool. What a fool
— In Arsene We Trust (@gaiuskaiser) September 16, 2015
Sell Giroud now please.
— TOᒪᑌ ᒪOᑭÉ (@dontjealousme) September 16, 2015
Moronic from Giroud but come on, how's he sent off for that?
— Bergkamp & Bergkamp (@Orangeiceman10) September 16, 2015
To be fair, we might be better off without Giroud.
— Ian Stone (@iandstone) September 16, 2015
Giroud received a second yellow card for smelling amazing. Unfair if you ask me.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) September 16, 2015
Giroud = Idiot. That's been nice, the other option is he's an uncoordinated spastic.
— Arsenal DownUnder (@ArsenalDwnUnder) September 16, 2015
If Giroud has anything about him then he will reimburse the fans that travelled.
— Isaac Gallows (@23__Football) September 16, 2015
Well done Giroud...... Well done
— TROY (@TROYmagician) September 16, 2015
Giroud is trying his very best to become a villain at Arsenal these days, isn't he? Pathetic first 40 minutes, topped off with a red card.
— TheODDSbible (@TheOddsBible) September 16, 2015
I'd love to know how that Giroud red card is harsh... You simply can't challenge above the knee without getting booked, and he did.
— Alex (@AlexGiovanni_) September 16, 2015
Looking at the ref like... After the Giroud red card pic.twitter.com/amy16SfCkB
— blackfixer (@Scottttty_who) September 16, 2015
Sad thing for Olivier Giroud is that the treatment he's receiving for his red card is the same treatment he gets even when he scores. #AFC
— Liam Bekker (@LiamBekker) September 16, 2015
One positive for the Arsenal fans tonight... Giroud can't play the next Champions League game.
— TheSPORTbible (@TSBible) September 16, 2015 
