Olivier Giroud will not be leaving Arsenal in January, insists Arsene Wenger.

The Frenchman scored in the 88th minute to rescue a point for Arsenal in their 1-1 draw with Southampton on Sunday.

It was Giroud's 17th goal as a substitute for Arsenal, with the 30-year-old not starting one league match this season.

But Wenger has denied claims Giroud will be shipped out of the club and says he will start games this season.

"He is important - why should we lose an important player? It is up to us [and not Giroud]," Wenger said.

"He will start more games. I believe as well it's always the same when you have many good players, some of them cannot play.

"The question you get is always why does the guy who is good not play? Because if you take him on you have another guy who is good who will not play, it is as simple as that."