Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists match-winner Olivier Giroud will stay at the club this season.
The French striker came off the bench to hand the Gunners all three points in a thrilling 4-3 win over Leicester on Friday night.
Giroud had been heavily linked with a £20million switch to Everton following Arsenal’s club-record deal for Alexandre Lacazette.
But Wenger revealed after the dramatic clash that Giroud “decided to stay” at the Emirates and he is “really loved” at the club.
The relieved gaffer said: “It’s impossible to keep all the strikers happy when they don’t play, but we have many games and hopefully I can give them all a good number of games.
“I love the man and the player [Giroud] and he doesn’t want to leave and I’m happy that he wants to stay.
“I opened the door for him, because I knew we had many strikers, but he’s really loved here and he decided to stay.”
Giroud, 30, started just 11 Premier League matches last season and scored 12 goals.
But his first goal of the new campaign could prove one of his most important already as Arsenal clawed their way back twice to kick-start their season.
Lacazette was on the scoresheet as Danny Welbeck and Aaron Ramsey also opened their accounts.
Wenger remains concerned by his side’s defensive frailties and insists it is something they must work on.
⚽ EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Premier League Top Goalscorer ⚽
FANCY Rom to run riot at the Red Devils?
Or Jesus to save your season at Man City?
Well get on Sun Bets’ special offer for the Premier League top goalscorer then.
If you bet £25 on any player to top the table at the end of the season, we’ll give a £5 free bet every-time they score in the competition.
What’s not to love?
BET £25 ON THE PREMIER LEAGUE TOP SCORER AND GET A FREE £5 BET EVERYTIME THEY SCORE
He added: “Our character was great because we were twice down and came back.
“Of course you cannot afford to concede three goals at home. We had 27 attempts and they had three on target and three goals, but it’s something we have to work on.”