Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny is backing Olivier Giroud for big success in the Premier League.

Koscielny predicts 6ft 4in Giroud, a £13m buy from French champions Montpellier, is set to be a Premier League hit.

The Arsenal defender, who yesterday pulled out of the French squad to play Uruguay because of a calf injury, said: "I am happy he has joined the club because he played very well at Montpellier.

"I played with him at Tours and he was a great player then. Now he is even more confident and scores a lot of goals.

"I know his qualities and he will give a lot for us. I know he has the physical quality to play in this league. For a striker it is about confidence and I am sure he is working hard to start well with Arsenal.

"He is tall, like Marouane Chamakh, and is also good with his back to goal. I think he will be happy here."