"?Olivier Giroud has revealed the reason behind the return to form that has seen him regain his place in Arsenal's starting lineup.
The striker told the club's "?official website that he considered his desire to improve - both physically and mentally - as the key ingredient towards him forcing his way back into the reckoning under Gunners boss Arsene Wenger in recent weeks, after netting five goals in his last six outings.
Now 30 years of age, Giroud believes his experience and determination to keep himself in tip-top shape has helped him rediscover his best performances for Arsenal, and joked that it would be nice to score goals earlier in matches to ensure victories were wrapped up before the final few minutes each week.
He said: "I don't know if I am a better striker, maybe I am. I've obviously improved myself since I signed for Arsenal, but I always try to be stronger [physically] and stronger in my head as well.
"It's never easy to be injured and as I told you, to watch the game in front when you are injured and you can't play is frustrating. That's why I was so happy to come back on the pitch after these injuries.
"I've always tried to bring something to the team and I was very pleased to score important goals, especially in the final minutes. But as I've said before, we need to be stronger at the beginning of the games because I'm not going to score goals in the last minute every week!"?
Olivier Giroud's 92 goals at Arsenal:
55 left-foot
9 right-foot
28 headers#afc pic.twitter.com/bjPzmNw686
Giroud lost his place in Wenger's first-choice eleven earlier in the season after fellow forward Alexis Sanchez's scintillating form ensured he was made the main striker in Arsenal's side.
The France international's chances were further hindered by a niggling toe injury and a red card picked up in the 1-1 Champions League draw with Paris St-Germain back in September as he struggled to wrest his place back from his more in-form team mates.
The forward also failed to find the net in his first five appearances of the campaign but, after notching a brace in October's victory over Sunderland, has not looked back and has now registered 10 goals in 21 games for the north London side this term.
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