Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has praised Olivier Giroud's ability to overcome adversity and insists that he can rely on the striker.
Giroud has suffered a disrupted start to the season, with his late return from Euro 2016 and a subsequent toe injury limiting him to just 78 minutes of football at club level this term.
The 30-year-old did play during France's September double-header against Italy and Belarus having impressed for Les Bleus at the Euros, but injury has prevented him from truly getting started for the Gunners.
"I am an admirer of Giroud because he has gone through some tough times and he bounces back. When his back is to the wall, he has an answer every time. When I go into a big game, you always think: 'I can rely on him.' You know that when the competition starts, he will be with you," Wenger told reporters.
"Before [Euro 2016], the [France] supporters didn't want him. But he turned them around. That's one of the strengths of Olivier. He is mentally very strong. The criticism does knock him. He's not made of metal. He's sensitive but sensitive and strong. Everybody wants to be loved. I've never seen anyone who dreams to be hated. But it is dealing with the fact that it doesn't always go your way that makes a man.
"I was not surprised he played [for France in September]. He was on the way up and France just came at the right time to have a game. I thought the two games with France would help him to get his fitness back but, after that, he got his injury."
Giroud is expected to remain sidelined for another two weeks at least.
Barney Corkhill
