Rumour: Arsenal set to hand Olivier Giroud two-year contract extension

Arsenal are to reward Olivier Giroud for his displays last season with an extension to his deal at the Emirates, reports the Daily Mirror.

The 27-year-old scored 16 goals in the Premier League last year, taking his record to 39 goals in 98 games for Arsenal.

Giroud had been locked in talks over a new deal before going to the World Cup with France, and now an agreement has been in principle that will extend his contract by a further two years. The striker will put pen to paper after returning from the tournament in Brazil.

Arsenal paid Montpellier £9.5 million to bring him to England, and he looked increasingly comfortable in his second season in the Premier League. Giroud was the club’s only established first-team centre-forward last year, and unsurprisingly looked to struggle with the intense physical demands as the season wore on. However, he was able to play a part in Arsenal’s FA Cup final victory – the club’s first trophy for nine years.

Giroud has played a role in all three of France’s games so far at the World Cup, and he scored a goal and made another in the 5-2 victory over Switzerland.

Reportedly, Arsenal have made a move for Porto’s £20 million-rated striker Jackson Martinez, as Arsene Wenger aims to avoid the mistakes of the season just gone and ease the burden on Giroud next season.Peter Crouch and Christian Benteke were the only strikers to win more aerial duels than Giroud in the Premier League last season.