Goal-machine Giroud rejects 'tedious' criticisms

Olivier Giroud has 17 goals in 21 matches for France including a stunning effort against Sweden last Friday, and still, the Arsenal striker is perpetually labelled as "not good enough."

For France's eighth all-time leading scorer, it's all a little boring.

"To be honest with you, it's a bit tedious. It's been the story of my career. People have always questioned me over the years," Giroud said ahead of Tuesday's friendly with England at Wembley, courtesy of the Evening Standard.

It's a narrative that has followed him with both club and country, and all Giroud can do to dispel the doubts is to continue scoring.

With 98 goals in 226 matches for the Gunners paired with 27 in 63 for Les Bleus, the 30-year-old has done exactly that, yet talk that he is not good enough to lead the line for Arsenal and France lingers

"It does get to you after a while, especially because you're doing the job on the field. But this is what also helps me to stay alert and focused on what I have to do," Giroud added.

"I'm not really asking myself any questions about how popular I am,” the three-time FA Cup winner admits. “The pseudo-debates don't really capture all of my attention, to be honest."

Constantly dismissed while fans clamour for the return of Karim Benzema amid the Real Madrid forward's seemingly never-ending soap opera with Didier Deschamps and French Football Federation chief Noel Le Graet, Giroud is often chastised in comparison to his former Les Bleus brethren.

On Friday, Giroud equalled Benzema's 27 goals for France in 18 fewer matches with stunning nonchalance as his game continues to do the talking.

Related - Watch: Giroud screamer stuns Swedes

"Obviously a forward is judged on what he brings to the side, how he is involved in the game. But a striker's also there to finish,” Giroud added.

"I have to put it away and I'm doing that. I have a good ratio and I hope to keep climbing up the hierarchy."