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| Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott are battling it out for Arsenal's lone striker role |
ARSENE WENGER has reassured Theo Walcott he is still his No 1 striker despite Olivier Giroud's goalscoring cameo against Bayern Munich - but only for the time being.
Walcott was denied in the first half against Bayern Munich with a world class save from Manuel Neuer but Giroud took advantage of a howler by the Germany goalkeeper to score just three minutes after coming onto the pitch as Walcott's replacement.
It gives Wenger something of a dilemma heading into Saturday's game against Everton (5.30pm), and the Arsenal manager is determined to keep his cards very close to his chest.
"It is always hard," he said. "They are top players, I consider the form, the game on the day but at the end of the season both will have played their share of games.
It gives Wenger something of a dilemma heading into Saturday's game against Everton (5.30pm), and the Arsenal manager is determined to keep his cards very close to his chest.
"It is always hard," he said. "They are top players, I consider the form, the game on the day but at the end of the season both will have played their share of games.
"At the moment it is Theo but in a few weeks it might be Giroud. What is important is that both contribute.
"We have other examples on Tuesday when we based our game on counter attacks which clearly worked but in the last part of the game we based our game on longer balls - direct game and Giroud made the decision. Both are extremely strong in that game.
"And they can work together. They did that in the past but for me it's a question of balancing the team as well.
"Alexis is a very offensive player, Ozil is a very offensive player and Walcott, Giroud and Cazorla are offensive players as well. I have to take care of our defensive balance."
"We have other examples on Tuesday when we based our game on counter attacks which clearly worked but in the last part of the game we based our game on longer balls - direct game and Giroud made the decision. Both are extremely strong in that game.
"And they can work together. They did that in the past but for me it's a question of balancing the team as well.
"Alexis is a very offensive player, Ozil is a very offensive player and Walcott, Giroud and Cazorla are offensive players as well. I have to take care of our defensive balance."
The bottom line is that Wenger feels that strikers must get used to fighting for their place if they want to be part of a successful team.
"You have to accept that no club in the world can play the whole season with only one striker," Wenger said. "If I would do it then you would first accuse me of being irresponsible. Once you have two players you have to be happy and make the right decision.
"It's always hard. It's not only hard for Giroud and Walcott, but for every single player who you leave out. It's a difficult decision but it's part of our job as well. We are in a job where competition exists and we have to accept that."
"You have to accept that no club in the world can play the whole season with only one striker," Wenger said. "If I would do it then you would first accuse me of being irresponsible. Once you have two players you have to be happy and make the right decision.
"It's always hard. It's not only hard for Giroud and Walcott, but for every single player who you leave out. It's a difficult decision but it's part of our job as well. We are in a job where competition exists and we have to accept that."
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