Report: Striker to hold Arsenal talks with Wenger, his role in team to be discussed
By Tony Hughes
Olivier Giroud is set for crunch talks with Arsene Wenger after revealing his frustration at life at Arsenal, according to a report.
The Daily Star claim the striker, 30, first held talks with Wenger back in September before Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Paris St-Germain in the Champions League.
It is said he now wants assurances he still has a future at the Emirates as he enters the last 18 months of his contract.
Giroud’s five Premier League appearances have all come as a substitute and he only played the last 21 minutes of Sunday’s draw with Tottenham.
“I thought I would start that game because the coach had put me on the bench against Southampton," Giroud said, as quoted by the Star. "But no.
“On the morning of the match in Paris, I had a discussion with him. He said I was close to returning. Frankly, I was hurt, disappointed.”
When Giroud came on against PSG in September, he managed to get injured, and then sent off.
He said: “This match was terrible because I hurt my foot after two minutes and then I couldn’t get in my stride.
“Then I was sent off. The week after, against Chelsea, the pain returned immediately as soon as I touched the ball.
“I was only just back then I was out for a month and a half. The coach told me that he admires me for my strength of character.
“I know that he supports me. But still. It mustn’t last too long or happen too often. Over time, it wears you down.”
Arsenal went unbeaten during Giroud’s spell on the sidelines and Sanchez has taken his place as the team's first-choice centre forward.
Giroud scored twice after coming on in the 4-1 win over Sunderland last month, and then started and scored in the 3-2 win over Ludogorets.
By contrast, the Frenchman was a key player last season, scoring 24 goals in all competitions, including 16 in 38 league matches, 26 of which he started.