Arsenal: Olivier Giroud dismisses notion that Arsenal need to spend in January to win title

Olivier Giroud believes that Arsenal have the squad to challenge for the title this season, despite Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer voicing his concerns to the contrary. The former Newcastle striker insists that the Gunners need at least three more players to challenge for the title, which includes a central defender, a midfielder and a forward thinking man.

The Gunners are currently top of the table, two points clear of Leicester City in second and three ahead of Manchester City, as they stride into the second half of the season. Pundits believe that this is Arsenal's best chance to end their title drought, which has extended to over a decade, but injuries to key players are threatening to override their campaign.

The absence of Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere, Alexis Sanchez, Tomas Rosicky, Danny Welbeck and Mikel Arteta means that the north London club are down to their bare bones. However, Giroud believes that they still have the requisite personnel to keep their winning run going and can carry their form forward till February when the likes of Welbeck and others return to take the burden off their frontmen.

When told that pundits feel they are still in need of replenishment in certain regions, Giroud retorted: "Tell me where! Just tell me where! I will explain the opposite judgement. We have very good players as well on the bench, young players waiting to come in. They are very talented. I am not worried about it," as quoted by the Daily Mirror.

"Danny Welbeck will come back in a month and a half. Theo Walcott can play up front, Joel is Campbell doing well with his national team up front. If I am less good or get injured, we still have a solution," he added.

Arteta is already back in training, while the likes of Coquelin and Cazorla, should return by February. Rosicky has been pencilled in for a return by the end of January, while Wilshere has had a setback which has pushed his recovery back to the end of next month. Meanwhile, Sanchez is expected to return to the first team for their FA Cup fixture against Sunderland.