Wenger: Giroud not for sale

ARSENE WENGER insists Olivier Giroud will not leave Arsenal in January despite the France striker’s lack of starting opportunities. “Why should we lose an important player?” said the Arsenal manager of a striker who was close to joining Everton at the end of the last transfer window. “It’s up to us.” Wenger added: “Yes he will start games. It’s always the same, when you have many good players, some of them cannot play. “The question you get is always why does a 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. “He will start games because we play every three days. “He is mentally very strong and we have to be grateful to a player who comes on when he is needed. It is a remarkable achievement.”

Giroud’s goal, which cancelled out Charlie Austin’s third minute opener, was the 17th time the France international has scored from the bench, six behind Jermain Defoe in the Premier League all-time list and alongside Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Kanu.

“I always try to bring something for the team when I come on the pitch,” Giroud said. “We missed players in the box so I tried to bring it. It was a good cross from Alexis.

“I tried to be at the right place at the right time. It is nice to come back.”

Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino believes his side’s performance confirms they are moving in the right direction.

“When you play against Arsenal who one of the biggest teams in the Premier League you have to be close to excellent to win this game.

“I feel we are growing,” he said.

“We were competitive, that is one of my goals. We have another possibility Wednesday and hopefully we can continue in this way.” – AFP