Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter for the latest tips and offers Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has revealed that the Gunners' interest in Porto's Jackson Martinez has "spurred" him on to produce his best form.
The French striker has scored 11 goals for Arsene Wenger's side this season, and says that hearing the Gunners being linked with other strikers makes him raise his game.
"I hear people say, 'They have Giroud and [Danny] Welbeck but they need a world-class striker.' Meaning, us, we're not world-class forwards.
"It spurs you on. Recently, there was a buzz around [Porto striker] Jackson Martinez.
Show all 21 1 /21Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings CRYSTAL PALACE: Julian Speroni Sent the wrong way by Santi Cazorla's penalty and should have done better for Arsenal's second. Parried Danny Welbeck's shot straight in to the path of Olivier Giroud when he should pushed it to safety. 5
GETTY IMAGES
Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings Joel Ward Will be disappointed that he allowed Danny Welbeck to run off him for Arsenal's second. 5
Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings Damien Delaney Will be disappointed that Olivier Giroud was given space to poke home Arsenal's second from inside the six-yard box after Julian Speroni parried a shot. 5
GETTY IMAGES
Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings Scott Dann Has done well as stand-in skipper and had another decent game here. Went down injured in the second half but played on after recovering. 6
GETTY IMAGES
Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings Pape Souare Looked shaky on his debut last weekend and had another difficult afternoon here. Conceded an early penalty when he fouled Danny Welbeck and looked off the pace. Tried to get forward down the left and did cross brilliantly for Dwight Gayle to head over as Palace pushed for a way back into the game. 5
GETTY IMAGES
Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings Jordon Mutch Struggled to make any real impact. Palace fans are still waiting to see his best since joining from Queens Park Rangers. 5
Getty Images
Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings Joe Ledley Set the tone for Palace's pressing in midfield as the home side enjoyed long periods of possession. 7
GETTY IMAGES
Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings Jason Puncheon Probably Palace's best player. Tried to make things happen and was inches away with a free kick in the second half. 7
Getty Images
Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings Wilfried Zaha Caused problems for Nacho Monreal on the right wing early on but faded as the game wore on. 6
GETTY IMAGES
Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings Dwight Gayle Full of endeavour and came close to pulling a goal back from his header went inches over. 5
GETTY IMAGES
Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings Fraizer Campbell Forced off early in the second half with what looked like a hamstring injury. 5
GETTY IMAGES
Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings ARSENAL: David Ospina Returned in goal and is clearly not about to give up the Arsenal No1 jersey easily. Had one shaky moment in the second half but did well. 7
Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings Calum Chambers Got forward well and had a solid game at right back. 7
GETTY IMAGES
Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings Per Mertesacker Arsenal looked assured at the back with Mertesacker marshalling the defence. 7
Getty Images
Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings Laurent Koscielny A pretty comfortable afternoon alongside Mertesacker. 7
GETTY IMAGES
Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings Nacho Monreal Replaced Kieran Gibbs at left back and struggled a bit against the trickery of Wilfried Zaha. 6
GETTY IMAGES
Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings Francis Coquelin Came in for Mathieu Flamini, who was absent with a slight hamstring problem, and did an important job in front of the Arsenal back four. His form will make it difficult for Jack Wilshere to get back in the side now he is back from injury. Booked. 7
Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings Santi Cazorla Alan Pardew believes Cazorla has been Arsenal's player of the season and it is easy to see why. Had another excellent game here after stroking home from the penalty spot to give Arsenal an early lead. 8
Getty Images
Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings Danny Welbeck Played a part in both goals. Won a penalty after nipping in to steal the ball from Papa Souare and his saved shot was tucked home by Olivier Giroud. Had a good game. 8
GETTY IMAGES
Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings Alexis Sanchez Had a hand in Arsenal's second but should have put Arsenal 3-0 up when he was put through early in the second half. 6
GETTY IMAGES
Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 2 player ratings Olivier Giroud Maintained his fine goalscoring form when he poked home Arsenal's second with his 11th goal of the season. Booked in the second half but led the line well. 7
"The coach has said good things about him, the player has said he would like to come. I learned that before the Middlesbrough game [a 2-0 win].
Porto striker Jackson Martinez (GETTY IMAGES) "It gave me added motivation. I was very happy to score those two goals."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies