Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud putting club's progress before personal goals
Monday 31 October 2016 19:59, UK
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud insists he will put the club's push for silverware ahead of his own desire to hold down a first-team place but believes his time to shine will come.
The 30-year-old has yet to start a game for Arsene Wenger's side this season but looks set to break that run when they face Ludogorets in Bulgaria on Tuesday night, with the Gunners looking to guarantee their passage into the knockout stages 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 first goals of the campaign - to help secure a 4-1 win and leave Arsenal level with Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
But, with Alexis Sanchez also scoring twice at the Stadium of Light and flourishing since being moved into the central striker's position, Giroud may find his chances limited over the course of the campaign.
"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."
A niggling toe injury had limited Giroud's game time, but he did not help himself as he was sent off in the opening Champions League draw at Paris Saint-Germain in September.
He has had to watch on as Chile international Sanchez continues to impress but, with Arsenal knowing they will advance from the group stage if they win in Sofia and Basel fail to beat PSG in Switzerland, he is putting the success of the team ahead of any he may enjoy on a personal level.
"In every big club you have a lot of good strikers, with different qualities," the France international added.
"We [he and Sanchez] can play together, we can play up front, or on our own. The team is doing very well, from the start of the season.
"I hope to come back and work hard at training. But I'm happy as long as we win.
"We have a very good team cohesion. I'm not questioning myself too much about my place. I'm focused on the team."
