Arsene Wenger insists Olivier Giroud is a ‘regular player’ and suggested the Frenchman needs to remain patient at Arsenal.
The 30-year-old striker scored a late header at Old Trafford, to rescue the Gunners a point in the 1-1 Premier League draw, after coming on as a second-half substitute.
It was his fourth goal in as many games for the north Londoners. He is yet to start in the Premier League this term, coming off the bench on six occasions and has only started once in the Champions League.
He recently admitted to French newspaper L’Equipe that it ‘cannot go on for too long’.
Wenger backed Giroud in his post-match press conference, saying: “I consider him as a regular player and he had a long holiday, came back and got injured.
“He is just coming back and it is true in the last two games he is a frustrated, this is normal because he is ready to go again.
“I __have chosen Sanchez at the start of the season, it worked well, and I have two options at the moment because Sanchez can play on the flank, Olivier only through the middle so sometimes I can marry the two together.”
Wenger was pleased with his changes in the second period – along with Giroud scoring after coming on, the pinpoint cross was sent in by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who had only been on the field for five minutes.
The 67-year-old added: “The two substitutes did well and overall shows mentally that [after doing it multiple times this season] there is something in the squad that is remarkable.
“Great unity, resilience, never give up attitude and we know we can do better going forward.”