Arsenal: Olivier Giroud signs a new deal to remain with Gunners until 2018

Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud has reportedly put pen-to-paper on a new deal that will see him remain with the Gunners until at least the summer of 2018.

According to the Mirror, the deal between the French international forward and the north London club had been agreed to last season, but he only signed it recently.

Arsene Wenger signed Giroud from Montpellier in 2012, and the forward has gone from strength to strength since his debut Premier League campaign. Giroud had his best campaign in an Arsenal shirt last season, scoring 14 goals and providing three assists in just 27 league appearances helping the club finish third as well as win the FA Cup for a second consecutive year.

Despite the former Montpellier forward's impressive form and the presence of Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck to support him, the Gunners boss is said to be in the market for a top quality forward, who can propel Arsenal to their first Premier League title in over a decade.

The 12-time FA Cup champions have been linked with Real Madrid star Karim Benzema, according to Spanish publication El Confidencial, and Giroud is open to the arrival of another forward, as he believes that competition for places will help the team get better.

"I'm not honouring this question. I'm trying to focus on my pre-season preparations," Giroud said after winning the Barclays Asia Trophy," as quoted by Goal.

"We are doing well together with a really good [cohesion] and the most important thing for me is that the team is always improving."

"If there is a new striker, it will be nice for all the team, because competition is good for everyone," the forward added.