Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud has asked Gunners fans to be patient with him.

The 25-year-old France international, who arrived from Montpellier in a £13m deal last month, made his Premier League debut in the 0-0 draw with Sunderland on Saturday.

Giroud scored 33 times in his last 73 Ligue 1 appearances and he is confident that he can reproduce that goalscoring form in England, however he is aware that it may take some time for him to settle into his new surroundings.

"This could have been the dream start, but in Montpellier I did not score for my first game, so I am not worried," he explained. "Here, I will have plenty of chances and I will score.

"Last season was wonderful here for Robin [van Persie], but before that, he took time to settle. I am just asking people to be a little patient with me. I am not here to make people forget Robin, because he has made beautiful things here, but I just want to bring something new.

"However, I am under no more pressure than that, because if I think about that when I go onto the field, I will play with the handbrake on. I know Arsenal is a great club and needs a striker ready and efficient quickly. I need games to get confidence, and it is up to me to succeed."

Giroud has been capped 10 times at senior international level.