Olivier Giroud will stay at Arsenal and start more games, insists Arsene Wenger

James Benge10 December 2017

Arsene Wenger expects Olivier Giroud to stay at Arsenal after the January transfer window closes and has committed to handing the striker more starts.

Giroud came off the bench to score an 88th minute equaliser in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at Southampton, flicking home a header from an Alexis Sanchez cross to save the Gunners from a sixth league defeat in 16 games.

The French striker has featured in 13 of them but is yet to make a start in the Premier League. He has, however, found the net 4 times and averages a goal every 63 minutes.

Giroud has made no secret of his desire for more chances in the Arsenal first-team, and has been warned he could lose his spot in the France World Cup squad if he doesn’t get it, but Wenger has assured the 31-year-old he will feature more regularly in his starting XI.

“He will start more games,” Wenger said. “I believe as well it’s always the same when you have many good players, some of them cannot play.

“The question you get is always why does the guy who is good not play? Because if you take him on you have another guy who is good who will not play, it is as simple as that.”

Giroud opted to stay at Arsenal in the summer amid interest from West Ham, Everton and Lyon despite Wenger offering him the chance to leave after the £53million arrival of Alexandre Lacazette.

In Pictures | Southampton vs Arsenal | 10/12/2017

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It has been reported that Giroud will consider a loan move away from Arsenal in January but, having opened the door for the striker once, Wenger will not consider letting him go mid-season.

“Why should we lose an important player?” he asked. Asked who would decide Giroud’s future Wenger added: “It is up to us.”