Giroud was expected to start against the Championship outfit after recovering from a toe injury, but summer signing Lucas Perez got the nod from Arsene Wenger over the 30-year-old to lead the line.
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Olivier Giroud has made five appearances for Arsenal this season
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Olivier Giroud came on as a sub in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Reading
I know Olivier Giroud came back in the midweek EFL Cup win, but I wouldn't be tempted to throw him in from the start on Saturday.
Paul Merson
The Frenchman has made just five appearances for Arsenal this season - all of them from the bench.
Giroud has struggled to secure himself a regular starting role under Wenger this term, with the likes of Alex Iwobi, Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Perez all in fine form.
And despite Giroud putting in a good display in the 24 minutes he played on Tuesday night, Merson doesn't believe he deserves to start against Sunderland.
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Paul Merson believes Arsene Wenger should start Olivier Giroud on the bench in Arsenal's next match