Arsenal Transfer News: Olivier Giroud's Comments Galvanize Luis Suarez Pursuit

With star striker Luis Suarez clearly unhappy at Liverpool, it now seems as though it is only a matter of time before he transfers elsewhere. Arsenal has emerged as the odds-on favorite to acquire the Uruguayan dynamo, and the blessing of current Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud should only further that pursuit.

According to John Cross of Mirror Football, Giroud is fully in favor of the Gunners potentially acquiring Suarez. This is despite the fact that the French striker's playing time would undoubtedly be negatively impacted in the event of Suarez jumping ship to Emirates Stadium. Giroud said:

"

I think we need maybe two or three more players. Yes, that's what we need. To show ambition.

The club has to show the fans that we want it. Me and my teammates, we need it as well. It's all about the team. It will be a really positive thing if we have a new striker.

"

In this day and age, which sees players in soccer and professional sports in general take a me-first approach more often than not, it is refreshing to see such a team-centric stance. Although Giroud fully realizes that he would be on the pitch far less with Suarez in the fold, he also understands that bringing in a 30-goal scorer would be positive for the team as a whole.

At the same time, Giroud showed his competitive nature, as he plans on being a starter during the upcoming season regardless of whether or not Arsenal nabs Suarez:

"

The most important thing is the team. We are waiting for one but we don't know. I think it will be good for the team and for me as well to have another striker, to have more competition between us.

But I think I could play with him or without him. So I will be able to be in the first XI this season. I really want to be in the first XI this season but we will see.

"

According to ESPN UK, Arsenal is quite serious about prying Suarez away from Anfield. The Reds are unwilling to let him go until the offer truly meets their liking, though, as they reportedly rejected a massive £40,000,001 bid from the Gunners:

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers essentially confirmed that it would take a king's ransom to come away with Suarez, as he told Sky Sports that Arsenal must match Suarez's value:

It remains to be seen precisely how much the Reds value Suarez. Based on the fact that Liverpool rejected such a generous offer, this could be a long-lasting saga, even if Suarez likely doesn't want it to be. 

Arsenal will almost certainly proceed in its pursuit of Suarez, regardless of how its current players feel. The fact that a guy like Giroud is in favor of the move definitely has to energize the Arsenal brass, though. There is always some concern about bringing in someone with a polarizing personality who also happens to dominate the ball, but if Arsenal players have no apprehension, neither should the powers that be at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal had a solid 2012-13 season as it finished fourth in the EPL and earned a spot in the UEFA Europa League playoff round, but getting into the top three should be the goal. Once the Gunners do that, they can focus on usurping Manchester United atop the standings. Arsenal won't be able to do that with its current roster, but Suarez would be a game-changer.

The Gunners certainly have some offensive talent already in place in the form of Giroud, Lukas Podolski, Mikel Arteta and Santi Cazorla among others, but Suarez is a superstar. Those types of players don't come along very often, so Arsenal has to pay the necessary price in order to make a transfer happen.

Suarez's status at Liverpool has been shaky for quite some time, but Arsenal is already welcoming him with open arms. If players like Giroud, who are certain to be in direct competition, want Suarez on the team, then one has to assume that it is only a matter of time.

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