France assistant manager Guy Stephan has admitted that Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud "must play more" if he wants to make the squad for the 2018 World Cup.

Giroud had the opportunity to join Everton during the summer, but the 31-year-old decided to stay in North London.

The forward has not started a single Premier League match this season, however, which could cost him a spot in Didier Deschamps's squad.

Stephan has conceded that Giroud "has to find a solution" if he wants to make the trip to Russia.

"Didier Deschamps has already had the opportunity to talk to him about it and now Olivier has to find a solution in the weeks to come," Stephan told reporters.

"A loan deal in January? That's up to him. Olivier has been very good for us in the last few months and he has a very high ratio in terms the amount of games played to goals. But now he must play more."

Giroud has scored 29 goals in 69 appearances for France since making his international debut in 2011.