Arsene Wenger expects Arsenal summer signing Olivier Giroud to build on Capital One Cup goal against Coventry

Olivier Giroud scores his first goal for Arsenal (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted striker Olivier Giroud had a weight lifted from his shoulders when he scored his first goal for the club against Coventry last night.

The summer signing from Montpellier had yet to find the back of the net for the Gunners but opened the scoring in a comfortable 6-1 Capital One Cup success.

Giroud later saw a penalty saved but Wenger believes the France international can now build upon his first goal when he next lines up for Arsenal.

He said: "It was in everyone's mind that the sooner he gets it the better, it was certainly more in his mind even more than in our minds. That is positive of course.

"It was a good finish, he is a good finisher Olivier, but at the moment I believe he is looking for confidence and that goal will help him. I expect him to take that into the Premier League."

Second-half goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Andrey Arshavin, Ignasi Miquel and a brace from Theo Walcott meant Arsenal progressed in style to a fourth-round meeting with Reading.

Wenger was pleased with Arshavin's contribution on what was his first start of the season and believes he now knows where best to play the Russian.

"His best position looks to be behind the striker now," he said.

"That is where his vision and the creative side of his game can be very efficient, when he has to work on the flank it is sometimes working against him because he has to work too hard up and down. When he is central he is also an influence on the game."

Wenger praised the spirited fight of Coventry and felt his players' superior fitness proved to be telling as the game wore on.

He said: "You have to respect Coventry because they gave a lot and never gave up and did fight for every ball from the first to the last minute, when they got tired it became easy for us.

"It was a classical tie where you needed to be serious and we were serious."

Coventry manager Mark Robins, taking charge of only his second match since being appointed at the Ricoh Arena, was pleased to see his side play some decent football in the first half.

"We've got to make sure we are doing the right things stage by stage and that was that was the first stage," he said.

"It is a tough, tough game to play in when you're lacking in confidence and lacking in belief. They showed tonight they can pass it and keep passing it even when they are under pressure."

PA