Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud scored twice in the space of two minutes on Sunday evening to help France to a win in Denmark.

Giroud’s goals gave France a 2-0 lead before six minutes had even been played, though the hosts grabbed an equaliser in the final minute of the game.

Last week, manager Didier Deschamps said he has shown Giroud that he still trusts him despite his difficult time at Arsenal, where he has had to play second fiddle to Theo Walcott in recent weeks. Coming off the bench, Giroud has scored against Stoke City and Leicester City but these goals should give him another boost before he returns to club duty.

A shot taken very early seemed to catch Kasper Schmeichel off guard, but Giroud’s second had no fortune about it as he finished off a beautiful move.

Two goals from the start should encourage the striker, and he may be given more starts by Arsène Wenger in coming weeks as Arsenal play a game every few days.

Giroud was subbed off, uninjured, after 73 minutes and will be back at London Colney in the next few days to prepare for the weekend’s trip to Watford.