Giroud claims to have a better start than Robin Van Persie

Flying high: Oliver Giroud

Arsenal‘s £13 million summer signing, Oliver Giroud, has claimed to have had a better start than former Arsenal player Robin Van Persie.

Giroud was doubted on the impact he would make for the Gunners and questions were raised regarding his price tag. But he has scored 14 times in 34 appearances for the Gunners and has netted five times in four games.

Van Persie had scored 10 in his first full season following a £2.75m move from Feyenoord in 2004.

Giroud, 26, said: “I don’t know a striker who isn’t interested in his statistics. Since the start of the season I’ve got 14 goals and 11 assists.

“For a first season, it’s better than Van Persie when he started, even though he was younger. When I arrived at Arsenal, there were some worries.

“But they were quickly sorted and now the Arsenal players understand if they play off me they can score.”

Giroud has played 34 games for Arsenal and has been on the pitch a total of 2,191 minutes with a goals-to-minutes ratio of one every 156 minutes, 30 seconds as compared to RVP’s 1,276 minutes in his opening 34 games, having a goal every 159 minutes and 30 seconds.

Giroud admits that this feat was not easy. He also hinted Theo Walcott’s contract dispute, and his determination to play up front, was a problem.

He said, “It wasn’t easy. Then we played Newcastle and won 7-3. I just missed out on a hat-trick. Things are better now.”