Former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Giroud could return to London next season

Arsenal will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points when they welcome Everton to The Emirates on Wednesday. 

Mikel Arteta’s side currently hold a two-point advantage over reigning champions Manchester City, but the visit of struggling Everton presents the ideal opportunity for The Gunners to increase the gap.

Few had predicted Arsenal to be involved in the title race this season, especially considering their failure to secure a top four spot last term after a disappointing end of season collapse.

Regardless of whether they are successful in their pursuit of the Premier League title, The Gunners look almost certain to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

If they do so, the north London outfit will feature in Europe’s premier club competition for the first time in eight years.

Their last Champions League match, a 5-1 defeat at home to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich that contributed to a 10-2 defeat on aggregate, featured an almost unrecognisable squad from the one that has taken the Premier League by storm this season.

Midfielder Granit Xhaka is the only player that started that match and remains in the squad today, while the likes of Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez also started.

Giroud enjoyed huge success with Chelsea, lifting the Champions League in 2021

Now, Giroud is being linked with a return to London.

As per Football Insider, the France international could attract offers from several clubs if he cannot agree an extension to his current deal with AC Milan, and Fulham are one of those said to be interested.

The 36-year-old remains Milan’s first choice striker and has netted 25 times in 69 appearances for the Serie A side, including 11 goals this season.

His contract is set to expire this summer, though, and clubs across Europe are on alert in case he cannot agree an extension.

The Frenchman boasts a remarkable record in English football, having scored 144 goals in 372 matches across all competitions during spells with both Arsenal and Chelsea.

The player is said to be keen on the idea of a Premier League return, although his current employers remain confident of agreeing an extension to his current deal.

Giroud, who became France’s highest scorer of all time during the World Cup in Qatar, moved to Italy following Chelsea’s Champions League triumph in 2021, and helped Milan to lift the Serie A title during his first season with the club.