Laurent Koscielny backs Olivier Giroud to succeed

Laurent Koscielny has backed new Arsenal teammate Olivier Giroud to score goals for the Gunners this season.

Giroud, 25, scored 38 goals in 69 games during his spell with Montpellier HSC, and Koscielny has backed his fellow Frenchman to reproduce his form in England.

"I am happy [he has joined the club] because he played very well at Montpellier. I played with him at Tours and he was a great player then - now he is even more confident and scores a lot of goals. I know his qualities and he will give a lot for us," he told the club's official website.

"I know he has the physical quality to play in this league. For a striker it is [about] confidence and I am sure he is working hard to start well with Arsenal. He is tall, like Marounane Chamakh and is also good with his back to goal. I think if we play with technical guys he will be happy, and in the box he is a good finisher."

Arsenal open their Premier League campaign at home to Sunderland on Saturday.