Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists Olivier Giroud will not leave the club anytime soon despite his lack of games in the Premier League so far this season.

The Frenchman is yet to start a match in the top-flight this term, making all 13 of his appearances to date from the bench, although he has managed to score four goals during that time, including a late equaliser during Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Southampton.

Giroud was linked with a move away from the club during the summer and that speculation has resurfaced over recent weeks due to his lack of playing time, but Wenger insists he has no intention of selling the 31-year-old.

“He is important – why should we lose an important player? It is up to us [and not Giroud],” Wenger said.

The former Montpellier man is under contract at the Emirates Stadium until the summer of 2019 and Wenger has confirmed the forward will be included in the Gunners starting line-up over the coming weeks.

“He will start more games. I believe as well it’s always the same when you have many good players, some of them cannot play,” Wenger added.

Giroud will be hoping to secure his first league start since May when Arsenal travel to the London Stadium to take on West Ham on Wednesday.

The Gunners are priced at 1.67 to secure a victory over their London rivals, who are available at 5.25, while the draw is on offer at 4.00.