Arsene Wenger throws his support by Olivier Giroud: 'Arsenal need him'

The Frenchman was reduced to a supplementary role at Arsenal this season, making just 11 Premier League starts for the club

Olivier Giroud has been on international duty with France this month (Getty)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said that the club “need” Olivier Giroud as the forward continues to be linked with a move away from the Emirates.

The Frenchman was reduced to a supplementary role at Arsenal this season, making just 11 Premier League starts for the club.

Reports suggest Giroud has subsequently grown restless and would favour a transfer out of the club in pursuit of first-team football.

West Ham have been linked with the 30-year-old but Wenger insists that the forward remains an important part of his plans at the Emirates.

“It has been a frustrating season for him because he has not played a lot,” Wenger said.

“And when he has played well, he has not always played the next match.

“He has won us a lot of points when he has come on because he has scored lots of times. He has qualities that our team need.”

This comes in the wake of Giroud’s insistence that he “won’t settle for such limited playing time” at the club.

The Frenchman made the comments while on duty with France, adding that “Wenger is counting on me even though he hasn’t used me much”.

Giroud curiously extended his contract in January when it seemed as if his time at the Emirates may have been coming to an end, and only completed a full 90 minutes on one more occasion after signing the new deal.

The forward joined Arsenal in 2012 and has made 164 domestic appearances for the club, scoring 69 league goals across his five seasons in north London.