OLIVIER GIROUD fears being left behind by Arsenal’s title train — and is blaming Arsene Wenger.
The French striker, 30, has been a frustrated spectator as the Gunners have gone on a 16-match unbeaten run.
Giroud has started only one Arsenal game all season and was back on the substitutes’ bench for Sunday’s North London derby.
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Now he has broken his silence on what he admits has been his worst start to a season since moving to England from Montpellier in 2012.
He said: “When I watch from the stands at Arsenal and see a team that plays well and has made a very good start, it seems the train leaves without me and I must not get too far behind.
“If my game continues to stagnate, it will affect my future selection. I cannot play one game in five.”
Giroud believes it was manager Wenger’s insistence that he take an extended holiday to recover from the Euros which has left him trailing in the wake of Alexis Sanchez.
In an interview with French newspaper L’Equipe, he claimed: “The coach gave me a month of complete holiday and did the same with Laurent Koscielny.
“I wanted to play again quickly, but the coach insisted I take my time and told me some players only return to their best in November.”
Giroud’s absence let Sanchez establish himself as Wenger’s first-choice central striker.
And he was particularly upset to be left out of the team for the opening Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain.
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He said: “I thought I would start that game because the coach had put me on the bench against Southampton three days before. But I wasn’t selected.
“On the morning of that match in Paris I had a discussion with him and he said I was close to returning. But, frankly, I was hurt and disappointed.
“That match proved to be terrible for me because I hurt my foot within two minutes of coming on, couldn’t get into my stride and was sent off.
“Then, in my next game against Chelsea, I took my first touch and the pain immediately returned and I was out for another month.”
Giroud finally returned to score two goals with his first two touches in a 4-1 win at Sunderland.
He was also in target in last week’s Champions League victory away to Ludogorets.
Yet with 18 months left on his contract, he is biding his time.
He added: “We must not make any judgments too soon.
“As for my future, I hope it is with Arsenal for two or three years more.”
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