Robert Pires has urged Arsenal to keep hold of Olivier Giroud as the player continues to be linked with a move away this summer.

Everton are still chasing him hard according to reports, confident they can lure him to Goodison for a tidy £20m.

But Pires thinks that would be a mistake.

“I ­believe in Giroud as he loves to fight, fight the good fight – and not for himself, but for the team,” said the Frenchman at the Star Sixes tournament.

“If you want to win the title you need everybody and Arsenal need ­Olivier Giroud.”

Giroud was a second-half substitute as Arsenal played Chelsea in the final game of their pre-season tour.

The Gunners will now return to London to prepare for the Emirates Cup next week.

Given how keen Arsene Wenger was to get Giroud on for the second half of this game, you can’t help but think he means what he says about wanting to keep the Frenchman.