Walcott – Giroud is a ‘dream’ to play with

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott has praised teammate Olivier Giroud, calling him a ‘dream’ to play alongside.

The French striker is in the form of his career this season and scored against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon – a milestone goal for Giroud, hitting his 50th goal in just 113 appearances for the Gunners. It was also his 14th of the 2015/16 season.

Walcott believes that Giroud provides everything to the team, not just goals.

It’s not just his goals, it’s his general play and everything about him.The way he holds the ball up, he blocks it and defends it, and he works hard from the team from defensive corners and everything.

The way he holds the ball up, he blocks it and defends it, and he works hard from the team from defensive corners and everything.

He’s in great form at the moment. He’s a dream to play with and he makes our job a lot easier. As soon as I won the penalty, I just knew that he would score.

The 26-year-old then cited Giroud’s confidence as the main reason why he’s performing to such a high level.

Confidence is streaming through him and you want that in the busy Christmas period. You want players that are on form and he’s definitely one of them.

Walcott recently returned from injury after straining his calf against Sheffield Wednesday in the round of 16 tie of the Capital One Cup and has yet to be reinstated as the starting centre forward, instead being pushed out on to the left, an unfamiliar role for him.

With Giroud in such good form, a fight will be on for Walcott to retain his place in the side.