Gunners striker happy to put team first

Olivier Giroud insists he will put Arsenal’s push for silverware ahead of his own desire to hold down a first-team place – but believes his time will come.

The 30-year-old has yet to start a game for the Gunners this season but is in line to break that run when they face Ludogorets in Bulgaria tonight looking to seal a safe passage into the knockout rounds of the Champions League.

Giroud came off the bench against Sunderland on Saturday with the game level, and he scored with his first two touches, his maiden goals of the campaign, to help Arsenal keep pace with Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.

But, with Alexis Sanchez also bagging a brace in the 4-1 win and flourishing since being moved into the central striker’s position, Giroud’s chances could be limited over the course of the campaign.

Despite that, the former Montpellier player feels he will get his opportunity after a frustrating opening to the season as he prepares for his first start, with Arsenal able to qualify if they win in Sofia and Basle fail to beat Paris St-Germain in Switzerland.

“I’m just concentrating on what I have to do on the pitch. My time will come,” he said.

“Obviously I’d prefer to be on the pitch, but I came back late from the Euros. I was not fit enough to play first and then, unfortunately, after I had an annoying injury I needed to take my time to come back as soon as possible. I’m very pleased to come back now.”

More than 5,000 Ludogorets fans are expected to make the 435-mile roundtrip from Razgrad to Sofia to cheer on the Bulgarian champions, with Arsene Wenger set to make several changes.

The Arsenal boss confirmed Nacho Monreal, Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla and Hector Bellerin have not travelled as all are carrying minor knocks, while Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Laurent Koscielny could all be rested.

Olivier Giroud celebrates his second goal against Sunderland.