Olivier Giroud says he has yet to sign a contract extension at Arsenal but hinted he could be willing to commit his future to the club, despite spending the majority of the season playing second fiddle to Alexis Sánchez.
It took injuries to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott for the 30-year-old to be handed his his first start of the Premier League season. And the 30-year old’s starting role was vindicated after his header on 86 minutes gave The Gunners a 1-0 win over a resilient West Brom side. It meant Giroud has now scored in each of the four starts he has made this season including his out of the world Scorpion kick against Crystal Palace. He has also found the net in the Champions League ties against Ludogorets and Paris Saint-Germain in November.
It now appears the France international is now close to agreeing an extension on his current deal which expires at the end of next season. Reports in France this month said he has already extended his contract but the player purchased from Montpellier in June 2012 has denied that is the case.
“People have been saying I have signed a new contract,” he said. “It is not true but may be soon.” added the striker.
“I came back a bit late from the Euros and it was nice for my body because I could rest but not good for me because the team was doing well and another striker was doing well up front,” said Giroud
“It is all about keeping the focus high. Always keep working hard at training,” he said. “I was speaking with the boss, we had a couple of discussions together and he explained to me why I hadn’t played too much until here. But football is an everlasting new beginning, as I used to say, and you always have to keep focused and wait for your time.
“Today I played, I tried to give everything for the team and hopefully things will change for me. But as long as the team is getting better I am happy and I am part of the club since five years and I want to carry on. But we have to see, I need more time of games but we will see in the future. The best thing is to keep within distance of Chelsea.”
Since his arrival in 2011, Giroud has divided opinion amongst Arsenal supporters. Some see the powerful striker as a reliable goal threat while others believe he is far too wasteful in front of goal. The forward will likely continue up top when Arsenal travel to Bournemouth later tonight.