Arsenal's Olivier Giroud apologises to wife and fans following affair with model Celia Kay

Olivier Giroud issued an extraordinary public apology to his wife, family, Arsenal and even Arsène Wenger on Sunday following allegations that the model Celia Kay had entered his hotel room on the night before a Premier League match.

The story first surfaced on Sunday last week and, as well as initially denying that Kay had visited his room, Giroud took legal advice over the story.


The Sun, however, followed up the story on Sunday with a photograph of Giroud, apparently exiting the bathroom of his hotel room in only his underwear. Around 90 minutes before Sunday’s 2-1 win against Liverpool, Giroud then posted a series of messages in English and French on Twitter.

“I apologise to my wife, family and friends and my manager, team-mates and Arsenal fans,” said Giroud. “I now have to fight for my family and for my club and obtain their forgiveness. Nothing else matters at the moment.”

Unusually, Giroud did not start yesterday for Arsenal although he did come on as a substitute in the 88th minute. Wenger explained Giroud’s absence by saying that he had “looked a bit tired recently”.