Wenger Pinpoints Reason Behind Arsenal Striker's Success

Arsene Wenger says that Olivier Giroud's progress with Arsenal has been the direct result of the striker's fighting spirit after the Frenchman secured victory for the north Londoners over Crystal Palace.

Giroud has scored eight times this season and with the Gunners holding a precarious one-goal advantage over Palace on Saturday, following Mikel Arteta's sending off, the 27-year-old headed home in the 87th minute to close out the win.

And Wenger has argued that a product of the hitman's development since moving to the Emirates in the summer of 2012, has been regular contact with some of the world's best players.

"He missed some chances but he always got the support of our fans because he shows he is ready for a fight," Wenger told reporters.

"The fact that he kept going got him a goal. I like his spirit. That is what makes him great.

"How much he has improved, I don't know. But he has, that's obvious to everybody. If he keeps working like that then he will improve again.

"He has improved through training and the fact he has played with top players.

"They put pressure on you to take care of every pass because if you don't do that then players like [Mesut] Ozil, [Jack] Wilshere and [Santi] Cazorla will let you know."

Arsenal currently sit at the top of the Premier League table but bar Tottenham, they are yet to come up against any of their fellow current title contenders.

The Gunners will rectify this in the coming weeks though with back-to-back fixtures against Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.

They also face an all-important Champions League match-up with Borussia Dortmund and Giroud's improvement will be tested as the former Montpellier star looks to convince Wenger he doesn't need to purchase an additional striker in the January transfer window.