OLIVIER GIROUD insists he has made a bigger impact at Arsenal than Robin van Persie.
The £13million summer signing is obsessed by statistics — and his figures compare favourably with RVP's.
Former Montpellier hitman Giroud has scored 14 times in 34 appearances for the Gunners.
Van Persie netted 10 in his first full season following a £2.75m move from Feyenoord in 2004.
Giroud, 26, has scored five times in four games and keeps a notebook of all his stats.
He said: "I don't know a striker who isn't interested in his statistics. Since the start of the season I've got 14 goals and 11 assists.
"For a first season it's better than Van Persie when he started, even though he was younger. When I arrived at Arsenal, there were some worries.
"But they were quickly sorted and now the Arsenal players understand if they play off me they can score."
In his 34 games, French ace Giroud has been on the pitch a total of 2,191 minutes with a goals-to-minutes ratio of one every 156 minutes, 30 seconds.
RVP, who quit for Manchester United last summer, played 1,276 minutes in his opening 34 games. His ratio was a goal every 159 minutes and 30 seconds.
Giroud admits it has not all been plain sailing.
He also hinted Theo Walcott's contract dispute, and his determination to play up front, was a problem.
Giroud added: "It wasn't easy. Then we played Newcastle and won 7-3. I just missed out on a hat-trick. Things are better now."
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