Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud eyes fourth place ahead of Liverpool clash

Olivier Giroud believes Arsenal can still finish in the top four ahead of their clash against Liverpool at The Emirates on Wednesday.

The Gunners have bounced back from successive losses to rivals Chelsea and Manchester City by registering a 5-1 victory over West Ham in the Premier League, before easing past Brighton in the FA Cup on Saturday.

The France international has scored four goals in his last two outings, and the Ligue 1 winner insisted the Gunners are determined to secure Champions League football for next season.

“When you don’t have the hunger you can’t play very well and succeed. You need it,” said Giroud.

“We want to get six points against Liverpool and Stoke to reach Tottenham and fourth place (in the Premier League), then we will play and see where we get.”

The 26-year-old has endured a mixed start to his Arsenal career after completing a £9.6m move from French champions Montpellier to the Gunners in the summer.

Despite his patchy form, Giroud insists he is enjoying life in the Premier League and relishes the physicality of England’s top-flight.

“I chose this championship because there is more intensity, more physically, you have to be ready in the athletic way,” he added.

“I like it, but I like to play good football as well.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Giroud is the ideal target man for the English top flight, insisting the France international could have played in the first edition of the Premier League.

“Giroud could have played 20 years ago in England, 10 years ago and today,” said the Arsenal manager.

“He is all you need to play as a centre-forward, a physical presence. Usually we would go for a more mobile player, but he gives us something different.

“Without him, it would have been difficult.”