Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has revealed he will consider leaving the Emirates Stadium in January in a bid to keep his World Cup dreams alive.
The 31-year-old is yet to start a Premier League match this season, but has still mustered four goals from 13 sub appearances, a return no player can better, including a late equaliser in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Southampton.
Giroud has fallen behind compatriot Alexandre Lacazette in the Gunners pecking order and with Arsenal’s big money summer arrival also in line for a place in Didier Deschamps’ World Cup squad next summer, the former Montpellier man is keen on regular first team action.
Arsene Wenger is adamant that Giroud won’t leave in the New Year, but the striker has admitted he could leave in pursuit of game time.
“I have the World Cup at the back of my mind weekly, almost daily. Each time I go onto the pitch, it’s to be more clinical and keep on track for the World Cup,” Giroud told L’Equipe.
When quizzed on if he could leave Arsenal in January, the forward said: “During international get-togethers, the coach usually warns me against that.
“He has told me the things he wanted to tell me, which is totally logical and I understand. He wants me to play more.
“If I wasn’t able to leave this summer, it was because of the opportunities I had.
“It wouldn’t have been good to leave for leaving’s sake, but it’s certain that eventually, even in January, I’m going to have to ask myself the question again.
“It won’t be easy to find the right solution and take the right decision, but we’ll look at the opportunities.”
Of the 39 players to have scored 10 or more goals since the start of the 2016/17 Premier League season, Giroud has the best mins per goal record, netting once every 90.4 minutes.
