Deschamps backs Giroud to shine

Didier Deschamps says Olivier Giroud has been hurt by recent criticism but the France manager is confident the Arsenal striker will prove everyone wrong at Euro 2016 this summer.

France will have the added pressure of hosting the tournament and there have been doubts whether the current crop of players have the ability and mental strength to succeed on home soil.

Deschamps did raise some eyebrows when announcing his final 23-man squad for the competition after leaving out some players many had as certainties for inclusion.

Nice star Hatem Ben Arfa, who has got his career back in track after a previous frustrating time in England, was overlooked, while Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette missed out, despite scoring 21 goals in Ligue 1 last season.

Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema is another who will not be featuring, although his absence is largely down to an ongoing investigation involving team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.

Giroud has been picked in the final squad but, despite finding the back of the net 16 times in the Premier League for Arsenal this term, his inclusion has been criticised by fans.

The 29-year-old has been jeered and booed in recent friendlies but Deschamps, who was part of the French team that won the 1998 World Cup, is fully behind the striker.

“Olive’ knows the faith that I have in him – what I expect of him. He has the character and the personality to get there,” he told L’Equipe. “You can say what you like, [but] he scores goals. He’s just had his best season at Arsenal in terms of efficiency.”

France, who are 4.00 favourites to win the tournament, have been drawn against Albania, Switzerland and Romania in Group A and Les Bleus are 1.33 to top the pool.