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Olivier Giroud has not started a Premier League game for Arsenal this season
He came off the bench to salvage a point for the Gunners against Southampton
Arsene Wenger insists the striker will not be sold in the January transfer window

Published: 07:30 EDT, 11 December 2017 | Updated: 07:32 EDT, 11 December 2017

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Arsene Wenger insists Olivier Giroud will not leave Arsenal in the January transfer window after his importance was highlighted again on Sunday.

The French striker has not started a Premier League game this season, but he came off the bench to salvage a point against Southampton with two minutes left.

Giroud joined Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the highest-scoring substitute for one Premier League team with 17 goals and is now set to be rewarded with more game time.

Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring 16 minutes after coming off the bench to secure a draw

Giroud (No 12) scores to rescue a point for Arsenal against Southampton at St Mary's

After coming on as a second-half substitute, Giroud scored the equaliser in the 88th minute

The 31-year-old has had to settle for playing second fiddle to summer signing Alexandre Lacazette and has mainly been used in the Europa League.

But his 88th-minute equaliser at St Mary's ensured Arsenal stayed within touching distance of the Champions League spots.

Not playing regularly in the league is something that Giroud recently admitted was frustrating him, but Wenger insists he will use the striker more often.

'He will start more games,' Wenger said in his post-match press conference.

'I believe as well it's always the same when you have many good players, some of them cannot play. The question you get is always why does the guy who is good not play?

Giroud replaced fellow French striker Alexandre Lacazette in the 72nd minute

'Because if you take him on you have another guy who is good who will not play, it is as simple as that.'

When asked about the striker's future, Wenger was adamant Giroud would not be sold in January, he said: 'In your question is the answer, because you say he is important, why should we lose an important player?'

The Arsenal boss also confirmed it would be up to the club whether the striker moves on next month and not the player.