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Glenn Hoddle hails “first class” Olivier Giroud

France's Olivier Giroud (REUTERS)
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The Arsenal striker has missed most of the season so far.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger talks to Olivier Giroud as he prepares to come on

Glenn Hoddle has told BT Sport that he is a fan of Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, describing the Frenchman as “first class”.

The 30-year-old has only managed four appearances for the Gunners this season – all came from the bench – in a campaign which has seen him hindered by a toe injury.

The France international also arrived back at the club later than expected in the summer after helping les Bleus reach the final of Euro 2016 in the summer.

Arsenal's Olivier Giroud in action with Sunderland's Sebastian Coates

Manager Arsene Wenger has had to make do with using Alexis Sanchez as Arsenal’s number nine so far and it has worked out for the most part, with the Chilean netting six times in 11 starts for the North Londoners.

But at 6’3, Giroud is a totally different option to his South American counterpart, and Hoddle says his return will make Wenger’s side that bit less one dimensional in regards to attack.

“I think Olivier Giroud looks at times a class act. You can put balls in. Arsenal get in great positions at times but can’t get a cross in playing Alexis Sanchez as a false number nine,” the former Tottenham man told BT Sport.

Arsenal's Olivier Giroud warms up before the match

Giroud is very much a divisive figure among Arsenal fans and “class” would not be a word many use to describe him.

That being said, there is a certain class about the former Montpellier man, who can sometimes look a little bit clumsy but he is also capable of an elegance which is seldom seen in players of his height and build.

He could earn his first start of the season in Tuesday’s Round-of-16 League Cup clash with Reading at the Emirates.

Arsenal's Olivier Giroud in action with Paris Saint-Germain's Thiago Silva