The 23-year-old says the France striker, who has scored 18 goals this season, has shown he is good enough for the Gunners

Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin has hit back at Thierry Henry after the former striker said the Gunners need “a top, top-quality striker in order to win this league again”.

The Frenchman was speaking after Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Chelsea at the Emirates which ended Arsenal’s eight-game winning streak and left them 10 points behind the Blues in third.

Henry insisted that Arsene Wenger needed to sign four new players if they are to clinch a first Premier League title since 2004 but Coquelin says Olivier Giroud is good enough for the Gunners.

"Thierry Henry is wrong. Giroud shows his potential every week,” he told RMC. “He showed that he has the level to be the Arsenal striker, and we can win titles with him.

"We are disappointed with the result against Chelsea because we were on a good run.

“Now the target is to focus on the end of the championship, win all the remaining matches to get this second place, and of course win the FA Cup final.”

Coquelin has played a key role for Arsenal since returning from a loan spell with Charlton in December and the 23-year-old says he is glad to have taken the chance to prove his worth.

"I had no doubt about my qualities, but when you don't have the chance to show what we can do, doubt can settle in,” he explained.

“But I had my chance, and it went well. In every big club, there is competition. You must answer to that when you have the chance to play, that's what I do and I hope it will continue."