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Arsene Wenger throws his support by Olivier Giroud: 'Arsenal need him'

The Frenchman was reduced to a supplementary role at Arsenal this season, making just 11 Premier League starts for the club

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The Independent Football
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Olivier Giroud has been on international duty with France this month Getty

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said that the club “need” Olivier Giroud as the forward continues to be linked with a move away from the Emirates.

The Frenchman was reduced to a supplementary role at Arsenal this season, making just 11 Premier League starts for the club.

Reports suggest Giroud has subsequently grown restless and would favour a transfer out of the club in pursuit of first-team football.

  • Read more

Giroud warns Arsenal he 'won't settle' for such limited playing time

West Ham have been linked with the 30-year-old but Wenger insists that the forward remains an important part of his plans at the Emirates.

“It has been a frustrating season for him because he has not played a lot,” Wenger said.

“And when he has played well, he has not always played the next match.

“He has won us a lot of points when he has come on because he has scored lots of times. He has qualities that our team need.”

How could Arsenal line up next season?

How could Arsenal line up next season?

  • 1/12 How could Arsenal line up next season?

    How could Arsenal line up next season?

    Getty

  • 2/12 GK: Petr Cech

    Cech may have been dropped for the FA Cup final, but the experienced shot-stopper is unlikely to lose his Premier League place anytime soon. The goalkeeper will turn 36 next season and yet he remains one of Arsenal’s best players.

    Getty Images

  • 3/12 DR: Hector Bellerin

    “This type of news about Barcelona is something which makes me happy,” Hector Bellerin said about rumours linking him with a return to his former club. Arsenal supporters presumably weren’t so pleased. He remains unlikely to leave given his place in Arsenal’s first-team.

    Arsenal FC via Getty Images

  • 4/12 DC: Shkodran Mustafi

    The German defender enjoyed a solid debut campaign in English football, making 37 appearances in all competitions for the club. Still only 25 and will improve next season, with a year of English football already under his belt.

    Arsenal FC via Getty Images

  • 5/12 DC: Laurent Koscielny

    His poor discipline cost Arsenal in a couple of vital games, but he remains an important, influential player. There have been rumours Marseille have made Koscielny their top transfer target this summer, but it is highly unlikely Arsenal will sell.

    Getty Images

  • 6/12 LB: Sead Kolasinac

    Arsenal’s first signing of the summer. A versatile 23-year-old defender, Kolasinac plays predominantly at left-back but is also confident in more central positions, giving Wenger the license to switch to a 3-4-2-1 where necessary.

    Arsenal FC via Getty Images

  • 7/12 CM: Granit Xhaka

    Attracted a lot of criticism for his displays last season, but grew in confidence throughout the campaign and has the talent to become a vital player for Arsenal over the coming seasons. A superb distributor of the ball.

    Getty Images

  • 8/12 CM: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

    Will Arsenal be able to keep hold of him? Has courted interest from Liverpool and has also expressed his frustration at not being played in the middle by Arsene Wenger – so if he is to line up for the club next season, it might have to be in a central position.

    Arsenal FC via Getty Images

  • 9/12 RW: Riyad Mahrez

    Mahrez recently announced his intentions to leave Leicester this summer and Wenger refused to rule out a move for the Premier League champion. Should Wenger revert back to his tried and tested 4-2-3-1, Mahrez would form a key component of a formidable front three.

    Getty Images

  • 10/12 CAM: Mesut Ozil

    Still negotiating a contract extension with the club. His performance levels dipped alarmingly last season, but when he is in form, he remains one of the finest passers of the ball in the world.

    Getty Images

  • 11/12 LW: Alexis Sanchez

    Along with Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ozil, question marks also hang over the future of Alexis Sanchez. The Chile international is surely the player Wenger would most like to keep. Scored 30 goals last season – his best ever goal return – and has been attracting admiring glances from PSG.

    Getty Images

  • 12/12 CF: Kylian Mbappe

    All the talk is that Arsenal are lining up a staggering world-record big of £121.8m for the Monaco whizz-kid. Should he join, the teenager will lead the line for Arsenal, possibly leading to the exit of his compatriot Olivier Giroud.

    AFP/Getty Images

This comes in the wake of Giroud’s insistence that he “won’t settle for such limited playing time” at the club.

  • Read more

Arsenal tell Barcelona transfer target Bellerin is not for sale

The Frenchman made the comments while on duty with France, adding that “Wenger is counting on me even though he hasn’t used me much”.

Giroud curiously extended his contract in January when it seemed as if his time at the Emirates may have been coming to an end, and only completed a full 90 minutes on one more occasion after signing the new deal.

The forward joined Arsenal in 2012 and has made 164 domestic appearances for the club, scoring 69 league goals across his five seasons in north London.

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