Coach Didier Deschamps had to make some tough choices - "Making a squad, it's always difficult," he said - before confirming his 23-man group on Thursday afternoon for the November 11 World Cup qualifier in Paris and the friendly four days later in Lens.
Martial has struggled for form and fitness this term, scoring just twice for his club - once in the Premier League and once in the Europa League - and Deschamps has urged the 20-year-old to get back to his best in order to meet the expectations of both club and country
"His club coach (Jose Mourinho) expects more from him, too, which has already been pointed out to him at the last meet-up," said Deschamps, quoted by the French press at his news conference.
"I have not forgotten what he is capable of doing but it is up to him to make efforts to find his best form
He is not at the level where he should be."
On Giroud's inclusion, Deschamps said: "His return is logical
He was a little injured and less effective at some points, but he still has the same qualities
His recent performances have made him good
With us, he is very effective
His presence makes sense."
There was no place for Crystal Palace's Yohan Cabaye or Tigres forward Andre-Pierre Gignac , but 21-year-old Paris St Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who was on the standby list for Euro 2016, received his first full call-up, and 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund forward Ousmane Dembele features and could add to his two senior caps
"The competition for a place in France's midfield is tough," Deschamps said of Rabiot's selection
"But the same is true at PSG
"He's very efficient with his club
At his age, he already has to his credit a lot of matches, including in the Champions League
Every time there is a question asked of Rabiot, he answers it emphatically."
France squad: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Crystal Palace), Alphonse Areola (Paris St Germain); Sebastien Corchia (Lille, Lucas Digne (Barcelona), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Layvin Kurzawa (Paris St Germain), Adil Rami (Sevilla), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid), Djibril Sidibe (Monaco), Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona); Adrien Rabiot (Paris St Germain), N'Golo Kante (Chelsea), Blaise Matuidi (Paris St Germain), Dimitri Payet (West Ham), Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham); Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembele (Borussia Dortmund), Nabil Fekir (Lyon), Kevin Gameiro, (Atletico Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
Source : PA
Source: PA