Arsene Wenger has called for Olivier Giroud to get the credit he deserves after the striker fired Arsenal to the top of the Premier League.

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The France international’s penalty and Aaron Ramsey’s breakaway goal gave the Gunners a comfortable 2-0 win at rock bottom Aston Villa on Sunday.

They moved a point clear at the top, although Leicester will replace them if they beat Chelsea at the King Power Stadium tonight Giroud scored a hat-trick in Wednesday’s 3-0 Champions League win at Olympiakos and netted his 50th league goal for the Gunners – and 14th of the season – at Villa Park and boss Wenger reckons the 29-year-old can be under appreciated.

He said: “I believe he is at the top of his game. He is questioned sometimes but finally the numbers get people to realise he is a good player.

“Olivier has improved technically. His link play is better and when you have the option to go for long balls he is always an interesting option. He’s not got electric pace, he is more a player who likes to play with his back to goal. He is not spectacular individually but he is a very efficient player for the team. Mentally he is very strong.”

Arsenal face second placed Manchester City next Monday with the chance to be top at Christmas after Petr Cech also equalled David James’ clean sheet record with his 169th shut out in the Premier League at Villa Park. And Wenger is grateful for the long break to prepare for the game against a title rival.

He said: “Let’s see tomorrow, if Leicester beat Chelsea they have a very good chance to be top at Christmas. It’s a big game, we want to win at home and beat City at home. We have eight days to prepare. It will be an interesting one but we at least can recover first and prepare then.”

Elsewhere, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits their last-gasp 2-2 draw at home to West Brom felt more like a win but he refused to be drawn into a war of words over West Brom’s tactics.

Craig Gardner’s reckless knee-high challenge on Dejan Lovren saw the Croatia defender carried off on a stretcher and at various times during the match there were words exchanged with West Brom counterpart Tony Pulis.

Klopp said: “I know three points is important for the table but for development – the style of play against a team like this; everyone tells us we can’t play against teams like this but yes we can; staying in the game – to come back, that is a big moment in football.

“Sometimes a point deserved in the right way is more important.”