Arsene Wenger: Arsenal's Olivier Giroud is just as good as Aguero, Lewandowski and Benzema

Arsene Wenger reckons Olivier Giroud is every bit as good as Aguero, Lewandowski and Benzema

ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger believes Olivier Giroud is one of the best strikers in Europe and every bit as good as Sergio Aguero, Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema.

Giroud's hat-trick helped the Gunners into the Champions League knockout stages with a 3-0 win at Olympiakos on Wednesday and Wenger said: "He is not an electric type of player, he gets less spectacular actions and less credit as well. You see a guy who is electric and goes out you say, 'that is fantastic'.

"But the kind of header he scored for the first goal on Wednesday, you do not get so much credit. OK he was there and he headed the ball in. But it is was an important goal.

 

"Would I class him alongside Aguero, Lewandowski and Benzema? Of course."

Arsenal's feel good factor is set to continue with Alexis Sanchez set to recover quickly from a hamstring injury after time back in his native Chile.

"He may be a bit short for Manchester City next Monday, certainly, but with Alexis you never know," added Wenger.