Battling Olivier Giroud’s spirit has made him an Arsenal fans’ favourite, says Gunners manager Arsene Wenger.
Giroud got on the scoresheet with a late header in the 2-0 Premier League win over Crystal Palace on Saturday which kept Wenger’s outfit top of the table.
Despite looking a little jaded as the game wore on, Giroud kept fighting his corner and was rewarded with a nodded goal from Aaron Ramsey’s cross.
And Wenger praised the striker’s tireless efforts and said: “That is what makes him great. He missed some chances but always got the support of our fans because he shows he is ready for a fight. The fact that he kept going got him a goal.
“How much has he improved? I don’t know. But he has. That’s obvious to everybody. If he keeps working like that then he will improve again. I like his spirit.”
Meanwhile, Wenger believes Arsenal’s victories on the road may give his side an edge over their title rivals. The Gunners have gone 14 unbeaten away and the Emirates boss is happy with his team’s form.
He said: “As it stands at the moment, we have a very good away record. We have drawn only once and won all our other away games and we have more points ahead of everyone else so that’s not bad.
“That’s the advantage. The disadvantage is that some teams have had heavier fixtures than we have had until now. That’s what is facing us now.”
Arsenal face Chelsea in the Capital One Cup tomorrow night, then Liverpool at home in the top flight, Borussia Dortmund away in the Champions League and then travel to Manchester United in the league.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
