Olivier Giroud could be extending his stay at Arsenal

Olivier Giroud has followed up his match-winning header against West Brom on Boxing Day with comments suggesting that, while he's sat in the shadow of teammate Alexis Sanchez so far this season, he may be close to continuing on at Arsenal:

The 30-year-old’s contract is due to expire at the end of next season and Arsenal’s manager, Arsène Wenger, has previously urged Giroud to sign a new deal. Reports in France this month said he has already extended his contract but the player purchased from Montpellier in June 2012 has denied that is the case. "People have been saying I have signed a new contract," he said. "It is not true but may be soon."

Regardless of how one feels about Giroud there's very little denying the fact that he offers up a stark contrast of play in comparison to Alexis, giving both the players around him a target to play into and around, and Arsene Wenger a solid option when faced with brutish opponents. His arrival back from the Euros this past summer unfortunately coincided with the emergence of Alexis starting in his familiar center forward spot but, true to form, Giroud has battled whenever he's been given an opportunity: the Frenchman has scored in all three of his starts during this campaign.

Were he to extend his stay, he would more than likely reach, and eclipse, 100 total goals for the club, something only 17 players before him have ever done at Arsenal. While prone to sudden fits of inaccuracy in front of the goal, here's hoping Giroud stays on.