Giroud: I could have joined Middlesbrough

The France international was wanted by both the Riverside club he is set to face in the FA Cup on Sunday, and Celtic, before deciding to move to Montpellier

Olivier Giroud is set to line up for Arsenal against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday, but the striker once had the opportunity to join the Riverside club.

Giroud moved to Arsenal in 2012 in a deal worth more than €16 million after helping to guide Montpellier to the Ligue 1 title in France.

But the France international, who was playing for Tours at the time, was wanted by the Teesside outfit as they attempted to return to the Premier League following relegation to the Championship, as well as Scottish champions Celtic.

"Yes, that's true [I could have joined Middlesbrough]," Giroud told the club's official website. "Middlesbrough and Celtic [also wanted to sign me].

"It was a great team…today they are close to coming back into the English Premier League. It will be nice to play against them and it will remind me of my previous years in Tours."

Giroud started on the bench in Arsenal's midweek 2-1 victory over Leicester, but replaced Alexis Sanchez during the second half.