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'Confidence makes all the difference'

Olivier Giroud is firing on all cylinders in Asia - and he puts it down to confidence.

The French striker opened the scoring in the 3-1 win over Nagoya Grampus on Monday night with a firm header from Tomas Rosicky's fine cross, and he now has six goals in just 110 minutes of pre-season football.

"I am happy with my efficiency. I had as well a good ball from Tomas, I had a good position to receive the ball and I finished well"

Olivier Giroud

Giroud is entering his second campaign as an Arsenal player and he says he has worked on the mental aspects of his game to improve his efficiency on the pitch.

"Confidence makes all the difference," he told Arsenal Player. "Confidence is the first thing you have to work on - you have to work on your mental [side of the game] and keep going. It is something you must have when you are a football player.

"I am happy with my efficiency. I had as well a good ball from Tomas, I had a good position to receive the ball and I finished well. I am happy with it and I want to keep going and help the team to win. Tonight we succeeded, we were efficient, Theo scored and Ryo at home as well so we are really happy."

Giroud scored 17 goals in all competitions in his debut season at Emirates Stadium and he thinks a stronger understanding with his team-mates will push him even further this term.

"I don't really feel different compared to last year but maybe I know my team-mates very well now so I am more confident and I feel ready on the pitch," he said. "I do things naturally and we find each other better on the pitch. We have a better relationship now and I really want to do my best for this season."