I sent him back to Chile and he worked with the national team physio there.
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And Wenger, whose side travel to the Barclays Premier League’s bottom side Aston Villa on Sunday, reckons the 29-year-old is just as good as those strikers who are considered to be the deadliest in world football.
Giroud had to be patient earlier in the campaign as Walcott was preferred as Wenger’s main striker – but he has since taken his opportunity to make the position his own.
Giroud was the match-winner on Wednesday night, scoring a hat-trick against Olympiacos to ensure Arsenal’s passage into the Champions League knockout stages for the 16th consecutive season.
Wenger feels Giroud does not get enough credit he deserves, but says he offers something vital to the Arsenal team. City scored three late goals to erase a halftime deficit and claim the top spot in their group for the first time in club history.
Wenger signed Giroud from Montpellier in June 2012 but two summers ago, Arsenal scoured Europe in search of an elite centre-forward with the club bidding for then Liverpool striker Luis Suarez prior to enquiries for Wayne Rooney, Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema.
“Where he has improved a lot is in his link play and that is important in our team”.
The January transfer window may play a key part in the Gunners season as they will look to buy some players who can help them deal with this injury crisis that has threatened to derail their title challenge.
“That’s why when we played against Bayern [in October] I chose Walcott because you know you will be more in your half and have to go out quickly”.
“As a matter of fact I can tell you that there are already discussions going on between the club and a few possible targets”.
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“And I believe he can live with that and is used to it now and overall I think as well I heard someone saying if he is on the market tomorrow he would find anywhere, so that show you as well the kind of striker he is”.
