Olivier Giroud has urged Arsenal fans to not expect him to replace Robin van Persie at the Emirates Stadium.

Van Persie joined Manchester United last week after eight years at the club but Giroud, a summer signing from Montpellier, has claimed that he is a different player to the Dutchman.

The French striker told The Sun: "I am not here to replace Van Persie or to make people forget him.

"I am here to bring something different. I don't have the pretension of saying I will replace him because I have every respect for him as he had an enormous season last year.

"I wish him good luck for the future but I need to bring what I can bring without being pretentious to say I am here to replace him. That would be very bad."

Giroud joined the Gunners for £13m after scoring 21 goals in Ligue 1 as Montpellier were crowned champions.