Olivier Giroud reveals desire to outscore Alexis Sanchez

Olivier Giroud has warned his Arsenal teammate Alexis Sanchez that he is roaring to finish the season with more goals than the Chilean.

Both players are tied on 13 goals in the league but Giroud has the momentum going forward, scoring in his last five games in the league. Sanchez, on the other hand, has gone off the boil after taking the league by storm in the first half of the season.

Giroud, attacked for his profligacy since making the trip from Montpellier in 2012, has been a transformed player this season post the arrival of Welbeck and Sanchez. Their arrival meant that the striker was not guaranteed a first team spot, which helped him raise his game and become an indispensable part of the Arsenal line-up.

Giroud also missed three months owing to injury, which has made the achievement sweeter, having played fewer games than his counterparts. The striker has been nominated for the Barclays Player of the Month award for March which speaks volumes for his development this season.

"I'm not going to say something silly because it'll be reported, but why not finish ahead of Alexis?" Giroud told RMC.

"We push each other, we're on 13 goals, and I would like to score some more to help the team achieve its objectives.

"I have no demand to make. It's not me who picks the team. I get the impression I'm repeating myself, but it's the truth.

"What's important for me is to be called up and to contribute as soon as I can. Sometimes I'm criticised for being too honest in what I say, so I am trying to be more considered and straight bat things a bit more, I'm sorry," he added.

Arsenal will host Liverpool in a crucial battle for a top four spot on Saturday at the Emirates, where a win will all but eradicate Liverpool's chances of making the top four, with United also making strides in that regard.