Oliver Giroud says Arsene Wenger is making sure his return to regular first-team football is managed carefully.

The France striker returned to action with a bang against Manchester United when he scored within 15 minutes of coming on.

Giroud started the next league game at West Brom before coming off the bench to help the Gunners beat Southampton on Wednesay.

"I feel good and my ankle is alright. It’s clear now so I’m looking forward to playing on Saturday" Olivier Giroud

“I feel good,” the 28-year-old told Arsenal Player. “I told the boss I am ready to play every game, so he calmed me down a little bit and told me, ‘we need to preserve you a little bit.

“‘You’ve come back from injury after three months and we don’t have to go too quickly. Let’s take the time to come back well because we are not in a rush. We are going to play a lot of games in December and January’.

“I did good work with the medical staff and I always had Manchester United in my head as a target," added Giroud. "It was a great feeling to score, even if the result was not good, I felt good on my comeback and I’m sure it will be a positive from those bad results.

“I can’t wait to play more. I feel good and my ankle is alright. It’s clear now so I’m looking forward to playing on Saturday."