Former first-choice striker Olivier Giroud is disappointed at his lack of playing time this season and will be having discussions with manager Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal hierarchy about his long-term future.
Giroud is concerned about his future at Arsenal, even as the likes of Mesut Ozil and Hector Bellerin are signing new deals with the club. The 30-year-old striker is yet to start a Premier League game for the Gunners this campaign. His only start in all competitions this season has been against Bulgarian minnows Ludogorets in the Champions League.
The Frenchman is now set to hold crunch talks with Arsenal, according to the Daily Star. He reportedly did not like the fact that he was overlooked for the North London derby, and described himself as being left behind.
“I had hoped to play against Spurs because I’d had two good games. I was a little bit disappointed, but I’m not the sort of person to just give up,” Giroud is quoted as saying.
“When I watched Arsenal from the stands, I saw a team that was playing well and that was having a very good start to the season, and I said to myself that the train was leaving without me and that I mustn’t get too far behind.”
The 30-year-old added that he had also held talks with Wenger and expressed his disappointment to his compatriot after the Gunners’ draw against PSG back in September. Giroud had been named on the bench despite being excluded from the starting lineup for their Premier League game against Southampton three days before.
Wenger has replaced Giroud with Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez, who has thrived in a lone striker role. The former Barcelona player has notched up eight goals and five assists in 15 appearances in all competitions.
In normal circumstances, it would be difficult for Giroud to replace the Chilean. However, tragedy has struck for Sanchez while on international duty. The atatakcer has suffered a muscular injury while training with the national side which could end up ruling him out for months.
This could provide the opportunity for Giroud to prove his worth to the Arsenal cause. He has competition from Spaniard Lucas Perez, but the Gunners will be looking to hold on to him for at least the near future.
