Arsenal Transfer News: Olivier Giroud Future Discussed by Agent, Latest Rumours

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud will wait until the end of the season before deciding whether to quit the club amid rumours of interest from Juventus.

The France international has struggled to win a regular starting place at Arsenal so far this season but intends to fight for his place, according to his agent, Michael Manuello.

Manuello told Footmercato.net (h/t Ian Holyman of ESPN FC): "Olivier feels really good at Arsenal. He's going to finish the season here. Nothing is possible in January for Olivier. He has no intention of moving during the winter transfer window."

Season	Appearances	Goals
2012-13	24+10 (as sub)	11
2013-14	36	16
2014-15	21+6	14
2015-16	26+12	16
2016-17	0+7	3

Giroud was linked with a switch to Juve earlier this year by Calciomercato (h/t Jamie Styles for the Daily Star). However Manuello added, per the ESPN report: "I have never entered into contact with Italian clubs."

The superb form of Alexis Sanchez at the head of the Arsenal front line has arguably been the major contributing factor in Giroud's lack of game time during the current campaign.

When Sanchez is leading the attack, Arsene Wenger's side display a far greater fluidity of movement and look more dangerous in the final third. The Chile striker has netted 11 league goals to propel his team to second place in the Premier League table.

However, with his aerial threat Giroud provides a completely different option for the Gunners should Wenger want to switch up his tactics.

Giroud, 30, has often been criticised by Arsenal supporters for his performances, but his goal record—particularly in the league—stacks up well, with last season being his best in terms of total goals scored.

His lack of pace has attracted comment, perhaps most notably from football presenter Gary Lineker, who took to social media after the striker missed a chance for France at Euro 2016:

Indeed, despite not having started a Premier League match, he has still come off the substitutes' bench to score three times in his limited appearances, so it is clear he remains in his manager's thoughts.

Giroud's contract at the Emirates runs until 2018, but in order for the club to take full advantage of yet another promising start to a domestic campaign, it could arguably be time for them to cash in and sell him to any Italian suitors.