Wenger lauds Giroud's mental strength

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger praised Olivier Giroud's mental strength and insisted he was never tempted to rest the striker after his misfiring display against Monaco.

Giroud was replaced after missing a number of chances during the 3-1 Champions League defeat.

But Wenger kept faith in the forward as his side bounced back in the Premier League with Giroud scoring the first in a 2-0 victory over Everton at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

"Oliver has one great quality when he has his back to the wall. He has the personality and the strength to respond," said Wenger.

"Because I know him better now, it is one of the reasons I kept him on the team. Because he was not one out, he acknowledged that he missed his game and when he is conscious of it, he will respond because he has the strength to do it.

"I think he responded very well. I am not just happy because he scored a goal but as well for the work-rate he put in today from the first to the last minute as well.

"He is an important player in the box with his presence up front. Even defensively. He played only an hour the other night so those ingredients were important in my decision to select him."

Giroud put Arsenal ahead in the 31st minute and Tomas Rosicky wrapped up the victory that keeps Arsenal third.

(China Daily 03/03/2015 page19)