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Wenger on Giroud and striker situation

Olivier Giroud
Olivier Giroud

Arsene Wenger says this is a significant campaign for Olivier Giroud.

The France international has led Arsenal's line with élan this term, scoring five goals in seven games off the back of a productive pre-season.

Wenger says it's too soon to say whether Giroud is among the best strikers in Europe but he believes he has all the attributes - including stamina and the desire to play every week.

"He is a positive guy, he has a positive charisma. He has a good physical basic stamina, and guys who have a good stamina recover, and can repeat again"

"He likes that," said Wenger. "He is a positive guy, he has a positive charisma. He has a good physical basic stamina, and guys who have a good stamina recover, and can repeat again.

"Let’s analyse that on a longer period [before we say he is among the best]. I think there is still a lot to come from him. I am convinced that this is an important season for him."

Yaya Sanogo and Nicklas Bendtner are the other natural centre forwards in Wenger's squad - although Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski can also play there.

"We have now strikers who are real strikers," said Wenger. "Sanogo is not fit but he has stature as well, we are building him up physically, he has good technical quality. And don’t forget we have Bendtner who is coming back.

"It is a fantastic opportunity for him [Bendtner]. Honestly, he was supposed to go, but he stayed and once he stays you have to consider him as a full player of the squad.

"If he deserves to play in front of Giroud, he plays in front of Giroud. That is as simple as that.

"He lost his way a little bit, but he is not a bad boy. He is a good guy. He took the easy way a little bit but now he realises there are some [signals] in your career when players think that is the moment for them. He has got the message."

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