Olivier Giroud is convinced that if he continues to work hard and train harder, he’ll earn his place back in the Arsenal first team before long.

The striker has traveled to Bulgaria with the rest of the squad, presumably to start against Ludogorets in the Champions League.

The big guy has just returned from weeks on the sidelines with a toe injury and signaled his impressive return with two goals in as many minutes (and touches) when he came on in the second half against Sunderland.

“I feel good on the pitch you know, my injury is now behind me and I want to work now,” the 30-year-old said.

“I want to focus on the next stage of the Champions League and another big game on Sunday. I’m just concentrating on what I have to do on the pitch and my time will come.”

Before his injury, the Frenchman admits that he wasn’t fully fit following his late involvement for France at Euro 2016 and that’s why he was finding it difficult.

Arsenal's French forward Olivier Giroud gives a press conference on the eve of the UEFA Champions League group A football match between Ludogorets and Arsenal in Sofia on October 31, 2016 (DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images)
Arsenal’s French forward Olivier Giroud gives a press conference on the eve of the UEFA Champions League group A football match between Ludogorets and Arsenal in Sofia on October 31, 2016 (DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images)

Giroud was dropped for Alexis and since the Chilean has managed to carve out a role for himself up front, it wasn’t looking bright upon Oli’s return. However, Saturday proved just how integral he is to the squad.