Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Olivier Giroud has to be amongst the best strikers on the continent.

"I think he's in that league because he plays for one of the best clubs in Europe and he scores goals," Wenger said. "If you look at the number of games and the number of goals, you have to give him credit.

"He's not only a goalscorer, he's a guy who puts work in for the team. I think he's among the best strikers in Europe.

"I believe recently he has come back with an improved game and with his finishing. Wednesday was one of his best performances on all fronts."

"He [Giroud] is not exhausted in December because a striker is a bit of a more demanding job and he had a breather and came in and out," the Frenchman added. "I think I will have to do that again because it is so demanding now and he has a game that demands a lot of energy, that sometimes you need a breather in that squad.

"They can play together well, what I did on Wednesday night, so in some games I will play them together. It depends on the global balance of the team, it is a bit more different when Alexis is there as well."