Santi Cazorla: 'Olivier Giroud improving every year'

Santi Cazorla has hailed his Arsenal teammate Olivier Giroud, saying that the French forward is on a par with any other striker in the Premier League.

After starting the season with four goals in his first five appearances for the Gunners, Giroud has only managed to find the net four times in the last 13 games.

Despite this, Cazorla insists that Giroud is continually improving his all-round game.

"For me, he is [at] the same level as the other strikers in the league," the Spaniard told Radio Monte Carlo. "He is sturdy and can keep the ball. On the surface, he is effective, either with his feet or head. He is a little different from what is done in England, but he offers a lot.

"He is a great striker and has showed it all season, for Arsenal and France. He has improved to a high level and is getting better every year."

Giroud has scored 31 times for Arsenal since joining the club from Montpellier in 2012.