Arsenal Transfer News: Olivier Giroud Speaks on Rumours, Godfred Donsah Latest

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud says the speculation surrounding new arrivals at the Emirates Stadium gives him the motivation to improve, while rumours are intensifying concerning the future of Cagliari's Godfred Donsah.

Speaking to French newspaper L'Equipe (h/t ESPN FC's Ian Holyman) this week, the France international insisted he thrives on the pressure of potential replacement, noting:

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I don't have an inferiority complex. I don't have their name, but -- in terms of stats -- I am just behind Costa and Aguero. When people are talking about a player to come and take your place, you take it personally because it's your position. I hear people say, 'They have Giroud and Welbeck but they need a world-class striker.' Meaning, us, we're not world-class forwards.

It spurs you on. Recently, there was a buzz around [Porto striker] Jackson Martinez. The coach has said good things about him, the player has said he would like to come. I learned that before the Middlesbrough game [a 2-0 win]. It gave me added motivation. I was very happy to score those two goals.

"

For some, Giroud's place atop the Arsenal attack may be justified, and the speculation may be needless, but it hasn't stopped the gossip that manager Arsene Wenger may continue adding to his squad this winter.

Attacking partner Welbeck was brought in as reinforcement for Wenger's side after Giroud was sidelined at the beginning of the season with a broken leg.

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Notwithstanding his poor performance in Arsenal's Champions League match with Monaco on Wednesday, Giroud has impressed since returning to fitness, scoring six goals in his last nine Premier League appearances and showing why he deserves to be revered in his own right.

Following the recent 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace, Sami Mokbel and Rob Draper of the Daily Mail each hailed the 28-year-old for his Arsenal influence:

The former Montpellier hitman also celebrated his 50th Arsenal goal en route to defeating the Eagles, with the official Arsenal YouTube channel celebrating the landmark:

Following the arrival of Alexis Sanchez, Wenger has seen the squad's scoring responsibilities distributed more evenly across his ranks, but some may see the squad as lacking a classier pedigree of forward.

For now, though, Giroud appears happy to let his football do the talking as he looks to cement his stature as Wenger's Mr. Reliable in attack.

Enrico Locci/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Arsenal will look to rally against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur for the signature of Cagliari starlet Godfred Donsah.

That's according to Tom Collomosse of the London Evening Standard, with Tancredi Palmeri of beIN Sports reporting the Citizens have already scouted the midfield anchor:

Wenger has already added a defensive midfield star for the future recently after acquiring Krystian Bielik, but he would appear to have another prospect in sight.

Donsah comes as one of the most highly rated talents in Serie A at present, but Cagliari president Thomas Giulini is aware of how difficult it will be to hang on to the 18-year-old, telling Sky Sports Italia (h/t Metro's Vaishali Bhardwaj):

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Manchester City are interested, but Arsenal scouts were at the game against Inter to watch him. My intention is to keep him for at least one more year. Cagliari need to remain in Serie A so we can continue to help these young players grow. It would be beneficial for Donsah’s development to remain at Cagliari for another season.

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Arsenal may see Mikel Arteta move on from their ranks in the next year or so, at which point the club will need to have assets ready and willing to fill in.

What's more, David Amoyal of GianlucaDiMarzio.com rates the Ghanaian Donsah as a player with huge potential:

However, Collomosse reports that any move would cost in excess of £10 million in order for Arsenal to avoid any work-permit issues, which threatened to put Gabriel Paulista's move in peril.

That being said, it's unlikely the Gunners will want to pay quite so much for a player still taking his first paces in Italy's top flight.