France manager Didier Deschamps has answered Arsenal fans over their outrage after Les Bleus team list was released, saying Olivier Giroud was called-up for his previous performances for the national squad, rather than his current form with Chelsea.

The 50-year-old named his squad for the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Albania and Andorra on Monday and selected the Chelsea frontman despite him starting only one Premier League game so far this season, and not finding the net.

Frank Lampard has seemingly preferred Tammy Abraham to lead the line in west London, and with the England forward scoring four goals in the last two games, Giroud’s prospects of first team football at Stamford Bridge look bleak in the short term.

Giroud was included for France despite the form of another striker across London in Alexandre Lacazette, football.london report.

He has not featured for Les Bleus since 2017, despite netting twice against Germany in a 2-2 draw in November of that year, just a few months after he had joined Arsenal.

The Arsenal forward netted his second goal of the season in Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham, and has impressed with his consistent performances for the Gunners throughout 2019 – winning the club’s player of the season award last year.

Speaking to Get French Football News, Deschamps said: “He [Giroud] is in a difficult situation sadly for him and for us with his club. It is not ideal.

“However with us he has always given a good showing, the statistics will show you that.”