Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has spoken publicly about his contract situation at the club by suggesting that the deal is on the verge of completion.
The 30-year-old has been in superb form over the last 6-12 months and forced his way back into the plans of Arsene Wenger after spending a spell on the sidelines.
Arsenal were using Alexis Sanchez as their main number 9 for large parts of last season and the start of this.
But Giroud’s contributions off the bench have become impossible to ignore and the player now fully deserves his regular starting place and the probable new contract that is coming with it.
And the player himself is quoted on French TV (via Sky Sports) as saying:
“We’re on the verge of reaching an agreement for an extension,”
“It’s also a sign of confidence and I want to continue my adventure here in this Arsenal family, and I feel very good here.
“When I spoke with the manager, he always kept telling me that I’m an important player. I know what I’m capable of and it’s just a case of being patient, working hard in training and waiting for your hour to come.”
Giroud was known by some to be a rather mobile player who arguably limited the speed and mobility of Arsenal’s attacks before he was replaced by Alexis Sanchez in a smaller but more fluid front three.
But his form, particularly this season, has been exceptional. He has scored 9 goals in just 19 games and really grasped the nettle when given opportunities.
The French international of caps is in his fifth season at Arsenal and has bagged a very creditable 91 goals in just 206 games for the club.
Overall he has hit 181 in 416 games in his club career.