Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger reveals he 'opened the door' for Olivier Giroud to leave the Emirates Stadium... but he opted to stay: 'He is really loved here'

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Arsene Wenger insists Olivier Giroud will not be sold in this transfer window after his match-winning heroics in Friday night’s rip-roaring Premier League curtain-raiser.

The France international scored in the closing stages as Arsenal twice came from behind to get their league campaign off to a winning start during a goal-laden clash against Leicester.

Giroud’s future has been the subject of huge speculation this summer, with Everton, West Ham, Marseille and Borussia Dortmund all interested in taking the striker.

Olivier Giroud was given the option to leave Arsenal this summer, revealed Arsene Wenger

But the Gunners boss said he 'loved' Giroud and he is also adored by Arsenal fans

The forward’s playing time is likely to be limited this season following the £52million arrival of Alexandre Lacazatte.

And Wenger has revealed he offered Giroud the option of leaving the Emirates.

But the Arsenal manager says the 30-year-old is now certain to stay in north London.

When asked whether the striker could leave before the transfer deadline, Wenger replied: ‘No, that is a definite no.

‘I love the man and the player. He’s a fantastic guy and he’s committed. He doesn’t want to leave and I’m happy he wants to stay.

‘At one stage I opened the door for him as I knew I had many strikers and in the end he decided to stay.’

The club forked out £53m for Alexandre Lacazette, who opened the scoring against Leicester

Giroud came off the bench to score a priceless winner for his side against the Foxes

Speaking after Friday’s win, Giroud admitted his frustration at not starting, adding: ‘It’s a nice start (to win), but I prefer to be on the pitch.

‘We needed this win, everyone knows first game is crucial for confidence.

‘I have to do my job for the team, I am very pleased for the team tonight.’

Despite his late winner, Giroud is likely to be named on the bench again for next weekend’s clash against Stoke. Lacazette was excellent on his debut, scoring after 94 seconds before having a crucial hand in Danny Welbeck’s equaliser just before half-time.

Although Giroud scored a precious goal, he reiterated his desire to start for the Gunners

On Lacazette’s performance, Wenger added: ‘In every game he is stronger since he joined us.

‘Even when I played Giroud through the middle and him on the left he did very well. He adapts slowly to the way we want to play.’

Meanwhile, Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare bemoaned an apparent handball by Mesut Ozil in the lead-up to Aaron Ramsey’s equaliser.

Replays showed the ball hit Ozil’s arm in the build-up to the corner from which Ramsey scored to make it 3-3.

‘I was disappointed with the handball leading up to the equaliser but once you get a corner you have to defend it better,’ said the Foxes boss. 

Craig Shakespeare bemoaned an apparent handball by Mesut Ozil in the Aaron Ramsey goal