Olivier Giroud says he has always been "realistic" about competing with Theo Walcott for a place in the Arsenal starting XI.
Giroud, 29, scored in the 2-1 weekend win over Everton after being restored to the side in place of Walcott, 26, in what was only his fourth Premier League start of the season.
The France striker's goal came in the same week that he came off the bench to score in Arsenal's 2-0 Champions League triumph over Bayern Munich.
The former Montpellier forward has now found the net six times this season in all competitions for the Gunners, while England international Walcott has four goals for Arsene Wenger's side.
"I've always been very realistic about the situation," Giroud told L'Equipe. "Theo was going well. That's the reason why I was neither annoyed nor disappointed not to play, even though it was something new for me.
"He brings something different. The coach has the choice. At the start, it was Theo. Now he's changed. It's good for the team to have several strings to its bow."
Giroud said earlier this month that he hoped his brace for France against Denmark would kickstart his season.
"The main thing is to bounce back as quickly as possible," he said of being left out of the team. "That's what I did.
"I had to be patient and above all efficient when I was called upon. Statistics always do the talking for an attacker."