GIROUD CAN BE A BIG HIT

OLIVIER GIROUD has been urged to show that he can fill the gap left by Karim Benzema for France.

Real Madrid star Benzema has been left out of the Euro 2016 finals after a sex-tape blackmail scandal involving fellow international Mathieu Valbuena.

That has left French World Cup and Euro winner Thierry Henry challenging Arsenal star Giroud to step up and provide goals for Les Bleus. Henry has been outspoken about Giroud, claiming after last season that Arsenal needed to sign a marquee striker to help them win the Premier League.

Giroud reacted by calling Henry “dull” in his role as a Sky Sports pundit but despite the spat Henry feels the Gunners striker is good enough for France.

“What I said at the time was that Arsenal need a striker but I never said Giroud had to leave. People interpreted that, I didn’t say it,” said Henry who scored 226 goals in his Arsenal career.

“I always maintained Giroud is very good and good enough to play for France. He has shown that in the past and he will have to show it even more now because Benzema isn’t going.

“Giroud won the league in France but was it enough for Arsenal as a team since he went there? No. But he is good enough to play for France.

“He is not the guy that’s going to run in behind like Jamie Vardy. But he has other attributes which are important for France and Arsenal. He can see a pass and is clever around the box. He will score that goal in the air from set pieces. I would have enjoyed playing with him.”