The 26-year-old French striker arrived at Arsenal in the summer transfer season and reckons that he is finally starting to take off in the Premier League.

Olivier Giroud explains that his debut season for Arsenal has been more impressive than Robin Van Persie’s start with the same club.

Olivier Giroud explains that his debut season for Arsenal has been more impressive than Robin Van Persie’s start with the same club.

With 14 goals  plus 10 assists across all competitions, Giroud believes he is finally starting to have an impact and to silence the critics.

“For the first season … It’s better than Van Persie when he arrived here, although when he arrived at Arsenal [2004], he was younger [he was 20],” Giroud told L’Equipe.

Although  Barcelona’s David Villa is on Arsene Wenger’s shopping list, the Frenchman believes he still has the favour of his coach.

He added: “The British press has talked so much. The coach is not really okay for the winter market.

“It would be hypocritical to say that I did not think about it. After that, I have always believed that the coach would leave me time, I did not see him cutting the grass under my feet.”