Laurent Koscielny Talks Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal and More

Laurent Koscielny has admitted his Arsenal team-mate Olivier Giroud is in a "delicate situation" at the moment as he continues to be kept out of the Gunners starting XI by the brilliant Alexis Sanchez. 

A combination of a late return to the Arsenal squad after Euro 2016, a toe injury and Sanchez's superb performances playing out of position in the No. 9 role has limited Frenchman Giroud to only 51 Premier League minutes in 2016-17, per WhoScored.com.

The 30-year-old striker has also been left out of the France national squad for their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Bulgaria and the Netherlands, and Koscielny conceded it is a difficult time for his compatriot and fellow Gunner, per ESPN FC's Mattias Karen: 

"

It's a delicate situation for him. We came back late following the Euros. We joined the squad at another time. It took us more time to get fit.

Olivier needed a little more time than others. Then there is a lot of attacking competition at Arsenal. Alexis Sanchez is playing exceptionally well so it's complicated to replace him in the starting XI.

"

Chilean Sanchez has netted four Premier League goals in six starts so far this term playing as a centre forward, and Arsenal are currently on a nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Sanchez moving to play through the middle has allowed talented 20-year-old Alex Iwobi to drop in on the left flank, while Mesut Ozil continues to star in the No. 10 role and Theo Walcott is enjoying a purple patch of form on the right, per Bleacher Report UK:

It is the most consistently exciting front four Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has fielded for some time, and the Gunners are reaping the rewards.

But it has left Giroud largely consigned to warming the bench. 

The former Montpellier forward has never truly convinced at Arsenal since his move to the Emirates Stadium in 2012.

He has enjoyed several periods of decent form but has never returned more than 16 goals in a single Premier League season, a poor record for a striker leading the line in a side with designs on the title. 

Season	Appearances (as a sub)	Minutes	Goals	Assists
2016-17	0(3)	51	-	-
2015-16	26(12)	2431	16	6
2014-15	21(6)	1867	14	3
2013-14	36	3083	16	8
2012-13	24(10)	2325	11	3

It was expected that Giroud would face more competition for his place this season after Wenger signed striker Lucas Perez from Deportivo La Coruna for a reported £17 million.

But it has been Sanchez who has been keeping him out of the side.

Koscielny is convinced, though, that Giroud will get his chance to force his way back into the starting XI at some point, per Karen: "I know Olivier, and he's experienced much worse. We know his mental strength. One season is very long so he'll have his chance during the following weeks. He'll then have to answer the call."

The central defender will undoubtedly be proved correct.

Loss of form, injuries and a gruelling schedule are sure to hand Giroud an opportunity in the Arsenal side again soon enough, and he will then have to show he has the ability to score goals when it matters.