Football
Ian Holyman, France correspondent 6y

Olivier Giroud must ponder Arsenal exit in January - France's Guy Stephan

Olivier Giroud will have to decide whether to leave Arsenal during the winter transfer window, France's assistant coach Guy Stephan has said.

Last summer's arrival of international teammate Alexandre Lacazette has seen Giroud limited to cameo roles with Arsenal in the Premier League so far this season with 12 top-flight appearances solely from the bench.

Giroud, 31, won his 69th senior cap for France in the 2-0 win over Wales last month, but was replaced late on by Lacazette, who then started the 2-2 draw with Germany.

With Lacazette being Arsene Wenger's preferred choice in attack, and scoring eight goals in 15 Premier League matches, Giroud is in danger of falling out of France's World Cup squad for Russia next summer.

Stephan, Didier Deschamps' long-time assistant, explained Giroud -- who has a healthy return of 29 goals for his country -- may have to leave the Emirates Stadium in January to ensure he does not miss out.

"It's clear that in terms of playing time, it's insufficient," Stephan told TF1.

"Didier's already had the opportunity to talk about it. He has to find a solution in the coming weeks."

When asked whether Giroud should consider a switch, Stephan said: "It's up to him. He's played very well in recent months with us. He has a very good goals-to-games ratio, but he now has to play."

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