Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said that Olivier Giroud is no longer the club's default No.9 and that the Frenchman must get used to having to share his position as striker with Theo Walcott.
France international Giroud has been the Gunners' regular forward for the past three seasons but is now facing regular competition from Walcott for the central spot.
Although Giroud is expected to lead the attack in the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in the League Cup third round on Wednesday, Wenger says that he will decide who starts up front on a game-by-game basis.
He told The Mirror: "With Olivier Giroud, it is a competition with Walcott. When one plays people always ask, 'Why did you not play the other one?'
"When you have two top-level strikers, some games Giroud plays and some games Walcott plays. What we want to do is make the right decision for the right game.
"For two guys it can be interesting for the squad as they both have different qualities. They complement each other very well. Giroud's all-round game is vital because it is one of his assets. He can protect the ball, he can hold the ball, he can bring other plays in."
After the trip across North London tomorrow evening, Arsenal face a journey to second-placed Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday.
Tom Nightingale
