OLIVIER GIROUD insists he is the man to fire Arsenal into title contention next season.
The Frenchman, 26, had a mixed first term in England after his £12million arrival from Montpellier — taking six games to get off the mark.
But he ended up with a respectable tally of 17 goals and he now cannot wait to get going again in August.
Giroud believes both he and his Gunners team-mates will be much improved next season.
He said: "I scored 17 goals in all competitions and gave 10 assists which, for a first season in England, is good. I am happy with the stats.
"However, I know I can do better and there is a lot of room for improvement.
"That's why I'm already looking forward to next season. It is a massively important season with a lot of challenges.
"I want to really establish myself with Arsenal and make a name for myself here.
"If we start better than we did this season, I know that we will compete for the title next year because we are used to playing together now and have improved as a team."
Giroud copped it from all angles after his early-season flop — especially with ex-Arsenal hitman Robin van Persie banging in the goals immediately for Manchester United.
But he insists he always backed himself to come good at the Emirates.
Giroud added: "The Press has been tough on me at times but it's normal. It's part of the game.
"It's been a tiring season as it was totally different to what I experienced before.
"It was my first taste of Champions League football, the first time I was playing with no winter break and obviously the pace and rhythm of the game is different here.
"The fact that I didn't score straight away in my Arsenal career was not too bad. It made me work even harder, focused even more until finally it came at West Ham.
"I was never worried because any striker goes through times where you score less, where you make the wrong choices.
"I never said I wanted to replace Robin. He needed a few seasons to really be at his best here.
"I hope that as early as my second season, I can play week in week out and keep scoring regularly because it's key for a striker."
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