Olivier Giroud Issues Apology on Twitter Amidst Infidelity Scandal

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Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Arsenal star and French striker Olivier Giroud has created major controversy after being pictured in scandalous fashion.

The 27-year-old, who joined from Montpellier in 2012, looks set for an Emirates exit after less than two years, after being snapped in this photo, as shown by 101GreatGoals on Twitter:

The Sunday Sun publish picture of Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud in his pants http://t.co/Gzzo5nLdOJ http://ift.tt/1j2dFPQ

- 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) February 16, 2014

The photo, published by the Sunday Sun, clearly shows the Arsenal striker posing in his pants in a hotel room, taken by a glamour model who reportedly spent the night with the him.

The Gunners' front man and wife, Jennifer, had their first baby last June, and the devout Christian moved quickly to tweet his apology to his family and his club, just hours before the side's crucial FA Cup fifth-round tie against Liverpool:

I apologise to my wife, family and friends and my manager, team-mates and Arsenal fans.

- Olivier Giroud (@_OlivierGiroud_) February 16, 2014

I now have to fight for my family and for my club and obtain their forgiveness. Nothing else matters at the moment.

- Olivier Giroud (@_OlivierGiroud_) February 16, 2014

Arsenal have yet to issue their own statement following the outbreak, and with all to play for this season, this story comes at a derailing time for the Gunners in their search for the title.

Giroud spoke of his love for the club last week, and even hinted that national team-mate Hugo Lloris, currently with Tottenham, would move to their North London rivals in the summer, telling Sky Sports:

We go out together and talk about everything. We talk about life and sometimes the French team a bit and our wish to have a great experience together at the World Cup.

Have I asked him (Lloris) to join Arsenal? Yes, I have with Lolo (Laurent Koscielny). He would have liked to, he would quite like to. You will have to ask him the question.

However, Giroud's future at the club is now in doubt and it remains to be seen whether Arsene Wenger will continue with his leading scorer, or opt to drop him.

Perhaps Gunners fans will see the club's mentality toward the issue, should the striker feature against Liverpool. However, timing could not be worse for the side that looks to continue on its mission for FA Cup glory this season.

ESPN football writer John Brewin added his own hint of humor, tweeting:

Not a good sign for Arsenal when their only recognised striker has become more famous for his underpants than scoring goals.

- John Brewin (@JohnBrewinESPN) February 16, 2014

The Metro added more detail to the issue, stating its belief that the striker will be fined by Arsenal and highlighted what actually happened in the hotel room:

Giroud is expected to receive a heavy fine from Arsenal for breaching club curfew rules prior to a game.

Celia, who was at the hotel from 12.50am to 3.04am on February 2, told last week how she and Giroud were 'extremely loving and tactile' but did not have sex.

Arsenal face Liverpool today, and with a Champions League tie against Bayern Munich on Wednesday, Wenger will have hoped for a full contingency of players to choose from.

But perhaps this may be the final nail in the coffin for Giroud's Arsenal future. He has hit plenty of goals this season, but his off-field antics have let his family and club down.