Everton forward Wayne Rooney has claimed that Olivier Giroud should be a regular starter for Arsenal.

The Frenchman has struggled for game time at the Emirates Stadium this season, but has still scored seven goals in all competitions, despite starting most matches on the bench.

With Arsenal outside the Premier League's top four at present, Rooney believes that Giroud - a reported transfer target for the Toffees - should be the first name on Arsene Wenger's team sheet.

"The one player for me who has to start [for Arsenal] is Olivier Giroud," the former Manchester United striker told talkSPORT.

"He scores goals and, every time he comes on he scores. He's a handful and hard to play against. For me, if he was starting games for Arsenal, they would be a better team."

Giroud has scored 105 goals and registered 41 assists for Arsenal since his 2012 move from Montpellier HSC.