Giroud’s Euro 2016 Golden Boot chase great news for Arsenal

But for Iceland, a volcano nation of 330,000, negotiating a way through the qualifiers and then going on to win in France with such a small pool of talent and resources, would have been an achievement beyond any imagination.

No wonder, given his track record and his current form, he is confident about the week ahead.

We’ve all seen many videos of just how brilliant it looks when it comes together, but the one at the top of this page definitely tops the lot.

“We created many chances, that’s what makes it easier to score goals”.

The 29-year-old was booed during a pre-Euro 2016 friendly against Cameroon, despite scoring in the match, while his team-mates and coach have regularly been forced to defend Giroud’s presence in the side throughout the tournament.

Antoine Griezmann is on course to win the Golden Boot after his goal against Iceland on Sunday.

“It’s nice to be cheered”. I am pleased for the team, my family and the French public as a whole. “I’m thinking about the team and the objectives of the game. That’s the main thing”.

After a series of wins that needed last-minute goals, France took control of the game from the start. If France can play anyway near the way they did against Iceland, the game will be closer than some expect.

“It’s been a lot of hard of work and the supporters have been fantastic”.

The performances in France have provided the current squad with a flawless stage to display their talents and Icelandic players will have more opportunities to move to Europe’s bigger clubs. Some concluded the victor of that game would go onto win Euro 2016, and Germany are now the clear favorites.

Franch coach Deschamps, meanwhile, had made a number of changes to both shape and personnel.

It’s not a view that’s shared by Giroud, whose career path saw him play for unheralded French clubs Grenoble, Istres and Tours, before winning the French title with Montpellier in 2011-12 and securing a move to the Premier League.

“From a personal perspective it is good as well and I am scoring once again”.

Rami, however, has shown signs of nerves on several occasions, as has left back Patrice Evra, leaving France’s defence looking vulnerable, notably from set pieces. “I wasn’t very happy with him making a few saves in the second half”, Sigurdsson joked.

Germany beat France in the 2014 World Cup quarterfinals.

The Arsenal striker cupped his ears when celebrating his second goal but downplayed the personal impact of his performance at the Stade de France.