Van Dijk names Arsenal strikers past & present as toughest opponents | OneFootball

Virgil van Dijk has named former Gunner Olivier Giroud as his toughest opponent, giving current Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus a mention as well.

Speaking to the media this week about his toughest opponents, Virgil van Dijk gave the top spot to former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud – now of AC Milan.

“I think that Olivier Giroud [is the toughest attacker I have played against],” van Dijk said (via GFFN).

“Every time, you think you’ve got a hold of him, that you’ve got him well marked, but he always manages to score in one way or another: with his head, his foot, his knee. He has often scored against me.”

Giroud wasn’t the only Arsenal striker to get a mention, with van Dijk also naming Gabriel Jesus among a trio of Manchester City-linked strikers to cause him problems.

“I can’t forget Agüero, who was very strong, Haaland as well obviously, and Gabriel Jesus too,” van Dijk added.

“They all make your matches very difficult.”

Jesus will look to cause van Dijk problems again when the two meet in February, with Liverpool travelling to the Emirates Stadium.

The Arsenal striker missed the last fixture between the two through injury, but he’s returned to training over the winter break. With any luck, he should be available by the time the clubs face each other again next month.

As for Giroud, GFFN point out that the French striker could well face off against van Dijk once again when they play at Euro 2024 this summer, having been drawn in the same group.