Agent: 'Olivier Giroud staying at Arsenal'

Olivier Giroud's agent has insisted that the Frenchman will not be departing Arsenal for Napoli this summer.

Reports last week had suggested that the 29-year-old would be offered to the Italian outfit as a sweetener in a big-money deal to bring Gonzalo Higuain to North London.

"Everything I've read on Giroud is not true. I personally have only said that if Arsenal want to sell him, then we will see," said agent Michael Manuello.

"I do not know where [the Napoli story] came from. We never talked to them and there are no other people appointed over me that can do this. We need to clarify this.

"You always need two strikers, [injured Danny] Welbeck is out for nine months unfortunately. And it's quite normal. If you play in a great team, it is natural that we could face strong competition."

Giroud has notched up 57 goals in 135 league appearances during his four seasons with the Gunners.