Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud is one of Europe’s best strikers, claims Arsene Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Olivier Giroud is in the same league as the best strikers on the continent.

Giroud scored a hat-trick against Olympiacos on Wednesday night as the Gunners secured their spot in the Champions League knock-out stages against the odds.

It was the culmination of a fantastic run of form from the France striker, who has now scored 10 goals in his last 12 appearances.

Despite often being criticised as a forward who is not clinical enough to help Arsenal sustain a title challenge, Giroud has taken on the goalscoring burden as both Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez have been sidelined with injury this season.

And Wenger, whose side travel to the Barclays Premier League's bottom side Aston Villa on Sunday, reckons the 29-year-old is just as good as those strikers who are considered to be the deadliest in world football.

"I think he's in that league because he plays for one of the best clubs in Europe and he scores goals," Wenger said.

"If you look at the number of games and the number of goals, you have to give him credit.

"He's not only a goalscorer, he's a guy who puts work in for the team. I think he's among the best strikers in Europe.

"I believe recently he has come back with an improved game and with his finishing. Wednesday was one of his best performances on all fronts."

Giroud had to be patient earlier in the campaign as Walcott was preferred as Wenger's main striker - but he has since taken his opportunity to make the position his own.

The victory in Greece was the first time this season the pair had started a game together and, while Wenger plans to rotate them in order to give either one a break, he insists the duo can be deployed at the same time.

"He (Giroud) is not exhausted in December because a striker is a bit of a more demanding job and he had a breather and came in and out," he said.

"I think I will have to do that again because it is so demanding now and he has a game that demands a lot of energy, that sometimes you need a breather in that squad.

"They can play together well, what I did on Wednesday night, so in some games I will play them together. It depends on the global balance of the team, it is a bit more different when Alexis is there as well."