ESPN pundit Steve Nicol has said Olivier Giroud must leave Arsenal if he wants to play next season.

• Nicol can’t see Giroud playing over Lacazette
• Says Arsenal would be going nowhere with Giroud up front

There’s plenty of doubt over Giroud’s Arsenal future with the impending arrival of Alexandre Lacazette. Giroud lost his place in the starting line-up last season, first to Alexis Sanchez, then to Danny Welbeck.

And with Lacazette soon to be at the club, it’s unlikely he’ll get his starting spot back any time soon.

However, despite interest from the likes of Everton and West Ham, Giroud has said he’d be happy to “continue his journey” with Arsenal.

Nicol believes this is the wrong mind set for him to take. “If he stays at Arsenal, he’ll end up with splinters on his bottom, sitting on the bench,” he said to ESPN.

“Why does Olivier Giroud, after what happened last season, want to stay at Arsenal? How does he think he’s going to get a start at Arsenal? It’s not happening. It sounds like he’s happy to stay there and pick up the dough.

“If Arsenal are starting with Olivier Giroud next season, they’re not going anywhere. Let’s be honest, if Olivier Giroud wants to play, he has to move.”

Giroud has been linked with Everton this week, with a £20m move reportedly close to being agreed. He has interest from France as well, with Marseille and Lyon keen.

Arsenal have made it clear they want to keep the French international at the club, having agreed terms on a new deal last season.