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‘Giroud is angry in a positive way’

Arsene Wenger says Olivier Giroud is “angry in a positive way” as he strives to win back his first-team place.

The France striker did his prospects no harm at all with a thumping header to rescue a draw against Manchester United on Saturday - his eighth goal from his last nine attempts on target.

“He’s angry in a positive way,” Arsene Wenger told Arsenal Player after the game.

“I’d say he’s more determined [than angry]. I have a lot of respect, not only for his quality as a footballer, but also for the man. The best answer he can give is always to show what he did today.”

Wenger had a wealth of talent on the bench to help find an equaliser at Old Trafford with Giroud, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Granit Xhaka all coming on. Alex Iwobi was an unused substitute while Santi Cazorla heads a stellar cast of players who are currently unavailable.

Can the manager remember a time when he had so much choice? “Never,” he replied.

“Maybe a few years ago but I think we have the quality and the spirit on the bench. The two together makes us remarkably dangerous until the last minute. Since the start of the season, look at the number of goals we’ve scored in the final five minutes. That is not a coincidence.”

 

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