Olivier Giroud impresses for Arsenal

Alexandre Lacazette made his first start for Arsenal in the 3-1 friendly win over Western Sydney Wanderers, but it was Olivier Giroud who reminded Arsene Wenger of his qualities.

Olivier Giroud
Olivier Giroud

Giroud has been heavily linked with a move out of the Emirates following the club record signing of fellow Frenchman Lacazette for £52m from Lyon, but he used the occasion before 80,000 fans at the ANZ Stadium to show off his finishing qualities.

After a lovely one-two between Lacazette - who netted in the 2-0 midweek win over Sydney FC - and Monreal, Giroud clipped home the opener from Monreal's cutback on 33 minutes.

There doesn't seem to be any love lost between the pair with Giroud appearing to turn his back on his compatriot. It is unclear if it was deliberate.

Aaron Ramsey raced onto Monreal's raking pass to lob home the second on 37 minutes, with a deflected effort from Mohamed Elneny making it three a minute before the break.

Steven Lustica pulled one back from close range for the home team on 57 minutes, but Arsenal could and should have scored more with substitutes Mesut Ozil and Eddie Nketiah both hitting the post in the closing moments.