Oli’s heart urged him to stay on

Olivier Giroud’s heart told him to stay at Arsenal when it looked like his days were numbered this summer.

And the France striker insists he still has so much to give the Gunners.

The 30-year-old was the hero on Friday night when he came on as a sub to score the winner in a thrilling 4-3 win over Leicester.

West Ham, Everton and Marseille all wanted to snap up the 30- year- old following the arrival of £50million man Alexandre Lacazette to boost Arsene Wenger’s firepower.

But the Gunners boss was delighted when Giroud opted to stay.

And now the striker is focused on securing his starting place again.

Giroud said: “Something in my soul and my heart told me to stay.

“I have been hesitating because I’m the most happy when I play.

“I keep the faith and still bel ieve I can play an important part in the club.

“I feel good in my head and also physically. So I am 100 per cent focused on the club project.”

Giroud feels settled in London more than f ive years since his move from Montpelier for £9.6m.

But Wenger opted to pair Danny Welbeck and Lacazette for the English Premier League opener against the Foxes.

Yet Giroud’s goal proved to be crucial and now he wants to get many more to cement his case to start.

He said: “I have been through five amazing years here so I felt like the story had to continue.

“There are nice days to come for me in an Arsenal shirt. My goals will benefit everyone. It will make the manager’s decision harder.

“It is good for him and good for us. Competition will allow us to improve.”

The victory over Leicester even prompted unsettled striker Alexis Sanchez to join in the post- match celebrations.

The Chilean star watched from the stands because of injury and Wenger said: “He practised in the morning and has had a good session for the first time because he had a little muscular strain.

“He was happy and focused in the dressing room because we won.”

While Lacazette grabbed a debut goal, Wenger had a special word for Bosnia star Sead Kolasinac who was signed on a free transfer from Schalke.

The gaffer said: “It shows you can sti l l f ind good players on the market.”

Wenger made much of the team spirit shown by his men against Leicester – and warned it is a quality that will be needed in the next two matches against Stoke and Liverpool.

Wenger said: “Stoke is always a difficult place for us. Then we go to Liverpool who are one of the teams who want to win the title.

“Our win over Leicester will only strengthen the spirit that we will need in those next two matches.”