Giroud doubt gives Wenger striker headache
ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger is facing a striker crisis ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League trip to Marseille.
Top-scorer Olivier Giroud suffered a knee injury in Saturday’s 3-1 win at Sunderland to join the list of unfit forwards already unavailable to Wenger.
Lukas Podolski, Yaya Sanogo and Nicklas Bendtner will all be absent in France, leaving Wenger without a recognised centre forward if Giroud fails a late fitness test.
Theo Walcott is likely to deputise up front if necessary, however, Wenger was more positive about £42.5m midfielder Mesut Ozil making his Champions League bow for the Gunners after also struggling following the weekend win at the Stadium of Light.
“We have a few problems. Some with Ozil, but the main one is Giroud, who has a knee problem,” said the French boss.
“He will have a test tomorrow and hopefully he will be fit, but it will only be decided tomorrow.
“Ozil was ill and has some tight muscles after Saturday, but I think he will be ok. We are optimistic.”
Defender Per Mertesacker is also available after overcoming illness which kept him out of Saturday’s victory that briefly moved Arsenal to the top of the Premier League.