Arsene Wenger has told Olivier Giroud that he is no longer Arsenal's first-choice striker,and will share the role with Theo Walcott.
“With Giroud, it is a competition with Walcott. When one plays people always ask, ‘Why did you not play the other one?'” said Wenger.
“When you have two top-level strikers, some games Giroud plays and some games Walcott plays. Nobody anymore can play 60 games per season.
“What we want to do is make the right decision for the right game. Giroud is a guy who has a positive attitude, who is ready to have a go.
“He is a very strong man and, with his back to the wall, Giroud can always respond. I think he has assets in the game.
“For two guys it can be interesting for the squad as they both have different qualities. They complement each other very well.
“Giroud’s all-round game is vital because it is one of his assets. He can protect the ball, he can hold the ball, he can bring other players in.
“That’s one of the big parts of his game and that is why he creates so many chances and that is why the other players love him and love to play with him.”
Both Walcott and Giroud have scored two goals for the Gunners this season.
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