Giroud given Arsenal promise as Wenger makes January pledge

Arsene Wenger insists Olivier Giroud will not be sold in January as he looks to give the striker more Premier League minutes after his late leveller at Southampton.

The France international is yet to start a league game for the Gunners this season but scored an 88th-minute equaliser off the bench as Arsenal salvaged a point in a 1-1 draw at St Mary’s on Sunday.

Giroud, 31, was close to moving to Everton in the summer but remained at the Emirates Stadium, where he has largely featured in the Europa League as club-record signing Alexandre Lacazette keeps him out of the Premier League side.

His header at Southampton saw him draw level with former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the highest-scoring substitute for a single side in Premier League history with 17 from the bench.

Giroud admitted recently he is frustrated not to feature more in the Premier League but Wenger has said he will do so over the festive period.

“He will start more games,” Wenger said after the draw.

 

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“I believe as well it’s always the same when you have many good players, some of them cannot play. The question you get is always why does the guy who is good not play?

“Because if you take him on you have another guy who is good who will not play, it is as simple as that.”

Pushed on whether an important player like Giroud could be sold in the transfer window, Wenger replied: “In your question is the answer, because you say he is important, why should we lose an important player?”

Asked if it would be up to the club or player as to whether a January move could happen, Wenger clarified: “It is up to us.”