Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Olivier Giroud is no longer his first-choice striker and he will have to compete with Theo Walcott for a place in the first team.
The France international remained the Gunner’s no.1 striker in the past few seasons but is now facing stiff competition from England star Walcott, who is set to move to centre-forward position after spending rest of his career in the wide midfield.
Arsenal boss said that he will rotate the two players throughout the season depending on the opposition.
“With Olivier Giroud, it is a competition with Walcott. When one plays people always ask, Why did you not play the other one?” the 65-year-old French manager said.
“When you have two top-level strikers, some games Giroud plays and some games Walcott plays. Nobody anymore can play 60 games per season.”
Giroud has struggled to discover best of his form and managed just two goals in his last six league games, but Wenger believes that he will bounce back.
The Frenchman is likely to lead the attack in Capital One Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.
“He is a very strong man and with his back to the wall Giroud can always respond. I think he has assets in the game.
Walcott has scored one goal in five appearances this term.
