Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud feels that he needs to strengthen himself mentally in order to compete with Theo Walcott for the striker’s spot in the Gunners’ first team.

Giroud has been at the Emirates Stadium since the summer of 2012 when he signed from Montpellier and has gone on to feature in close to 150 games for the north London giants. He has netted 68 times for the side and also has 21 assists to show for his efforts.




The forward has been playing second fiddle to Walcott in the Arsenal first team of late and has revealed that it is a new thing for him, but he is willing to fight his way into the starting eleven.

"At Arsenal, I am in competition with Theo for the striker position. But he is doing well at the moment, so there is no reason to change”, Giroud was quoted as saying by the BBC.
 


"Whether it was at Tours, Montpellier or Arsenal, I have never experienced a situation like this; I have often played from the start.”

relatedNewsStory

The forward further added that he needs to harden himself mentally to deal successfully with the current situation.

“I need to harden myself mentally.

"It has been for several matches now that I have played less, that is for sure, but I do not need to be worried."

Giroud has featured in 11 games for Arsenal this term and has three goals in his name.