Arsenal news: Demotion to the bench has been difficult to comprehend, admits Olivier Giroud

Olivier Giroud admitted after scoring the winner for Arsenal against West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day that he would have found it difficult to believe at the beginning of the 2016-17 season that he would not make his first Premier League start of the campaign until December 26.

Until Monday, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had started Alexis Sanchez in the central striking role in league matches, despite regular reminders from Giroud of his qualities in games such as the 4-1 win at Sunderland, when he came off the bench with the score at 1-1 to net twice, and the 1-1 draw away to Manchester United, when he equalised a minute from time.

But after two morale-sapping away defeats at Everton and Manchester City, it was to Giroud that Wenger turned to overcome the unique challenge posed by West Brom and their ultra-defensive approach – not to mention his usefulness in the air when defending the Baggies' set plays.

And after 86 minutes Wenger's tactical switch paid off as Giroud beat Albion defender Gareth McAuley to Mezut Ozil's 86th-minute cross and looped a header beyond goalkeeper Ben Foster. Including Champions League matches against Ludogorets and Paris St Germain, that was the France striker's third goal in as many starts.

It would be logical if Wenger decided to keep Giroud in the line-up at home to Crystal Palace on New Year's Day, especially as their defence might prove more resolute now that Sam Allardyce is drilling it. But even if Giroud felt that his goal had made that same point to his manager, he would not say as much.

“I was speaking with the boss, we had a couple of discussions together and he explained to me why I hadn’t played too much until here,” Giroud said. “But football is an everlasting new beginning, as I used to say, and you always have to keep focused and wait for your time. [Against West Brom] I played, I tried to give everything for the team and hopefully things will change for me.

“But as long as the team is getting better I am happy and I am part of the club since five years and I want to carry on. But we have to see, I need more time of games but we will see in the future. The best thing is to keep within distance of Chelsea.”

And he was realistic about the path his season had followed. “I came back a bit late from the Euros and it was nice for my body because I could rest, but not good for me because the team was doing well and another striker [Sanchez] was doing well up front.

“This season has been difficult because also I was injured (toe) for a month and a half so it hasn't been easy. I don't want to talk too much about me but it was a big day for me, but a turning point for the team because if we didn't win we would have been in trouble.”

And there is no suggestion that shortage of game time will provoke a transfer request in January. The reverse, he hinted: “People have been saying I have signed a new contract,” he said. “It is not true - but maybe soon.”