Medical news on Olivier Giroud 'not fantastic' according to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger
Posted Wednesday, August 27, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk
ARSENAL have been rocked by the news that Olivier Giroud is out until the New Year with a broken ankle.
OLIVIAAARGH: Giroud is out for the rest of the year
The French striker sustained the injury in the closing stages against Everton on Saturday, just minutes after scoring a late leveller in the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park.
It a major blow for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who is preparing his side for tonight's crunch Champions League qualifier with Besiktas at the Emirates.
Wenger admitted the 27-year-old would miss the second leg clash with the Turkish outfit, but refused to confirm the severity of Giroud's problem at his pre-match press conference yesterday.
But Arsenal, who claimed a goalless draw in last week's first leg tie in Turkey, are today expected to reveal that scans show Giroud has a fracture which will rule him out for the rest of the year.
Wenger said: "He had a medical check and the first news is not fantastic."
Wenger still has five strikers on his books in Alexis Sanchez, Yaya Sanogo, Lukas Podolski and Joel Campbell with Theo Walcott returning from injury.
Yet the long-term layoff could force Wenger into the transfer market for a new frontman ahead of the September 1 deadline with QPR's Loic Remy, who has a buyout clause of just £8.5m and Danny Welbeck of Manchester United serious options.
However, Wenger defended Arsenal's medical department despite Giroud joining Kieran Gibbs and Mikel Arteta on the sidelines.
Wenger said: "We do not have any muscular problems apart from Gibbs. I feel overall that is quite good compared to the others.
"The other injuries are Arteta with an ankle problem and Giroud. It is accidental. You cannot plan to get an injury like that, in the 94th minute.
"I still don't understand how he did it. He overstretched his ankle. It was on the ball, not a contact."
Without Giroud and Aaron Ramsey, who is suspended, Arsenal are bidding to reach the Champions League group stages for a 17th successive season.
Wenger said: "It's a game we want to win. We want to be in the Champions League, we want to play top-level football."
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