Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud says Andriy Shevchenko was a source of inspiration when he was younger.
The now-retired striker left his mark at Milan in Italy and Chelsea in England, scoring more than 200 goals in his career, including a phenomenal right-footed strike against Juventus in 2001.
"When I was young I tried to run like Shevchenko because he was a fantastic player and really elegant as well," Giroud told the club's official website.
"Sometimes at training I used to start running like him. He runs in a special way and he was really powerful - short but strong. I tried to imitate his shots as well.
"I don't think [my coach] noticed though, because it was a quick try. It was not an obsession!"
At Arsenal, the 28-year-old became a key element in Arsene Wenger's side, showing that strength and power are not the only qualities of his game.
"Sometimes the boss used to say, 'Of course the striker has to go to the near post because after it will create some space behind you, even if you don't get the ball, the defenders will have to follow you'.
"After it's easier for maybe a midfielder or the other forwards to make other runs. We say most of the time, 'first post, first there'.
"In that situation it was true but the crosses Hector [Bellerin against Newcastle] and Theo [Walcott] put in, against Spurs last year, were perfect. After that, it's all about the outside of my foot."
