Olivier Giroud has revealed he is obsessed in playing in the World Cup – and claimed he is open to a move away from Arsenal next month to keep his place.

And he said he would have moved in the summer window if he had received better offers.

The France striker scored a late equaliser at Southampton yesterday – his fourth Premier League goal from the bench this season

Giroud has yet to start a league game this season but Arsene Wenger insisted he will not leave in the January window. “It’s up to us,” said the Gunners boss.

Olivier Giroud replaces Alexandre Lacazette (
Image:
REUTERS)
The French forward glanced home the equaliser (
Image:
AFP)

But in a TV documentary to be shown by L'Equipe TV tonight, the £13m striker reveals how he is driven to make the France squad in Russia next summer.

“The World Cup, I have it in my head every week, almost every day,” Giroud said. “Every time I go on the pitch, it is to be the most efficient with the objective of the World Cup.”

Giroud nearly joined Everton in the summer – and said France coach Didier Deschamps has urged him to get more game time.

“The coach has the habit, during get-togethers, of warning me about this.

Giroud produced again when it mattered most (
Image:
AFP)

“He has told me things he had said before, which is totally logical and which I understand. He wants me to play more.

“If I couldn't leave this summer, it was because of the opportunities that I had. I did not to leave to leave.

“But it is sure that at the end, even in January, it is again going to be necessary to ask myself the question.

“It will not be easy to find the right solution and take the right decision. But we will study the opportunities.”

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