Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud happy to put the team first after losing place to Alexis Sanchez - 'My time will come'

Staying patient: Olivier Giroud
AFP/Getty Images
Sam Long1 November 2016

Olivier Giroud insists he is happy to put Arsenal's pursuit of silverware this season ahead of his own desire to play regularly.

Giroud was the only player to feature in all 38 of Arsenal's Premier League fixtures last term but has found opportunities difficult to come by in the early stages of the current campaign.

The 30-year-old has struggled for both form and fitness in recent weeks, prompting Arsene Wenger to deploy Alexis Sanchez as the Gunners' central striker.

But Giroud came off the bench to score twice in Saturday's 4-1 win at Sunderland and fire himself into contention for tomorrow's Champions League group stages clash against Ludogorets Razgrad.

Arsenal in training ahead of Ludogorets | 31/10/2016

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Giroud could be handed his first start of the season in Bulgaria but is adamant he has not questioned his place at the Emirates during an extended spell out of the side.

“It’s good to be back in contention. In every big club you have a lot of good strikers with different qualities and the team has been doing very well since the start of the season," Giroud told a news conference.

"I’ve hoped to come back in and I’ve worked hard in training to do so but I’m happy as long as the team are winning and I’ve seen we have good cohesion as a side.

“So I’m not questioning myself too much about my place. I just need to play more and keep training well and show I’m in good form."

Injury has also played a part in Giroud's lack of game time but the France international says he is now fully fit ahead of a crucial run of games for Arsene Wenger's side.

The Gunners face Tottenham, Manchester United and Paris-Saint Germain after they return from Bulgaria and Giroud is prepared to wait for his chance to arrive.

"I feel good on the pitch. My injury is behind me and I want to look forward and qualify for the next stage of the Champions League. There is also a big game on Sunday.

"I’m just concentrating on what I have to do on the pitch. My turn will come,” he added.

You can follow Arsenal's clash with Ludogorets Razgrad live with Standard Sport. Click here for more information.

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