Arsenal boss reveals his plans for Walcott and Giroud this season ahead of Tottenham tie

Olivier Giroud has scored two goals in eight appearances for the Gunners this season

OLIVIER GIROUD will not be guaranteed a starting place every game this season, insists Arsene Wenger.

 

The Frenchman has been told he will have to compete for his spot with England international Theo Walcott with the manager planning to rotate his strikers.

Giroud has been a prominent figure for the Gunners in the past three season but has come under criticism lately following his red card in their 2-1 Champions League defeat by Dinamo Zagreb last week.

Wenger has been experimenting with Walcott and Giroud leading the line for the Gunners this season and is expected to start the latter in his side's trip to White hart Lane tomorrow night for their third round Capital One Cup tie.

 

And the manager expects to alternate between the two this season as he praised Giroud's playing style.

"With Olivier Giroud, it is a competition with Walcott," Wenger said. "When one plays people always ask, 'Why did you not play the other one?'"

"When you have two top-level strikers, some games Giroud plays and some games Walcott plays. Nobody anymore can play 60 games per season.

"What we want to do is make the right decision for the right game. Giroud is a guy who has a positive attitude, who is ready to have a go.

 

"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.

"For two guys it can be interesting for the squad as they both have different qualities. They complement each other very well.

"Giroud's all-round game is vital because it is one of his assets. He can protect the ball, he can hold the ball, he can bring other plays in.

"That's one of the big parts of his game and that is why he creates so many chances and that is why the other players love him and love to play with him."