MX23RW : Friday, December 13 21:35:41| >> :60:2555:2555:

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud: 'I believe in my own ability'

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud insists that he has "faith" in his ability following criticism from Thierry Henry.

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has hit back at Thierry Henry's criticism of him by insisting that he has "faith" in his own ability.

The Gunners legend appeared to dismiss his fellow Frenchman's qualities by claiming at the weekend that Arsenal need a "top quality striker" in order to win the Premier League.

Giroud has scored 17 goals in all competitions so far this season, but failed to strike in his side's goalless draw with league leaders Chelsea on Sunday.

"In sport you have to question yourself every week and be ready in your head and you have to be at 100% of determination if you want to keep going and win games - you cannot afford to be at 80% or 90%," The Guardian quotes Giroud as saying.

"You have to have faith in your own qualities, that is part of being a footballer - being strong in your head. That is more than half of the quality you need to be a football player."

When asked about the 'boring' tag being given to Chelsea in chants by Arsenal fans at the Emirates last weekend, Giroud said: "Boring? I don't know, but there is the table which speaks for them.

"It is true maybe they are not [playing] the same game as us, but we are not going to change our game and I think they are not going to change their game. I think they are pleased with that and if they are champions, what can you say?"

Arsenal are currently third in the table, level on points with second-placed Manchester City.

ID:219744: cacheID:219744:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2623:
Written by
Danielle Joynson
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Olivier Giroud of Arsenal celebrates scoring his opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James' Park on March 21, 2015
Read Next:
Henry: 'Giroud not good enough'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Rams
@
49ers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!