Arsene Wenger has denied that Olivier Giroud could leave on loan, and says that losing him on top of Theo Walcott would be ‘too much’.

Giroud is being linked with Borussia Dortmund as Arsenal work on bringing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the club.

On paper, such a move makes a lot of sense.

Giroud needs playing time ahead of the World Cup, and Dortmund would need a replacement for Aubameyang.

Wenger, though, was adamant that the Frenchman would not leave the club unless someone was brought in to replace him.

He’s reluctant to let his striker go, especially after already selling Theo Walcott to Everton.

“I have a consistent exchange with Olivier Giroud and we speak about the situation a lot,” Wenger said, as reported by Arsenal.com.

“He played many games you know, because he played all the games in the Europa League and came on a lot in the Premier League and has scored important goals for us.

“He is an important player here that everyone wants to stay, and there is a high level of respect for Olivier in this club. He will certainly get more games and he could only leave if somebody else comes in.

“He is similar to Theo [Walcott], it is a comparable situation. We lost Theo, but to lose Theo and Olivier without getting anyone in would be too much, it is too many top-class players to leave the club.”

Wenger’s comments echo what he said about Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri in 2011.

Back then, he said that no club could claim to be ambitious if they sold two quality players in the same month.

Yet, that’s precisely what happened.

Many will feel that Giroud and Walcott leaving would be worth it if it meant someone as good as Aubameyang arriving.

Giroud has been an excellent impact sub this season and would be a big loss to any club.

But as he’s not a first team regular, him leaving this month would not be a surprise, especially if Aubamyang signs.