Giroud: 'I have no doubts over my Arsenal future'
Despite being relegated to the bench while Alexis Sanchez stars as Arsenal's first-choice striker, Olivier Giroud conceded he has no doubts about his future with the club.
Having recovered from a toe concern, Giroud is again in Arsene Wenger's plans, and with three goals in four appearances since returning in a 2-0 League Cup win over Reading, the towering French international gives Arsenal a dynamic threat whose virtues differ from Sanchez's.
With two years left on his deal at Emirates, Giroud doesn't plan on going anywhere, even if he's playing second fiddle to Sanchez.
"At this time, the coach has opted for the solution of Sanchez leading the attack, partly because of my injury, so I now hope to get more game time of course," the 30-year-old striker told Telefoot.
"The coach makes his own choices but I am counting on myself to come back strong and I will work hard to do so. I have no doubts over my Arsenal future.
"As with each year, there is competition for places at the big clubs," Giroud continued. "There are a lot of attackers with different styles of play."
Giroud and Sanchez could not be any more different. The Chilean international is a tireless worker who uses pace and dribbling to unlock defences, while the former Montpellier man is adept at holding up the ball and is a threat on set pieces.
That was never more obvious than during a 1-1 draw with north London rival Tottenham before the international break. Spurs gaffer Mauricio Pochettino opted to start three central defenders, smothering the fleet-of-foot former Barcelona man. Giroud's assets, however, were tailor-made for a clash that screamed for width and a presence in the box.
"We have different profiles and can be used according to the team we are up against, but we can also be played together," he said.
With Sanchez nursing a hamstring issue while on international duty, Giroud may get a chance for his first Premier League start of the year when the Gunners travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Nov. 19.