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Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud may miss Besiktas second leg with ankle knock Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud may miss Besiktas second leg with ankle knock
(35 minutes later)
Arsenal are anxiously awaiting the results of a scan on an ankle injury sustained by Olivier Giroud late on in Saturday’s draw at Everton amid fears that the France striker could be forced out of Wednesday’s critical second leg of the Champions League qualifier against Besiktas. Arsenal are anxiously awaiting the results of a scan on an ankle injury sustained by Olivier Giroud amid fears that the striker could be forced out of Wednesday’s second leg of the Champions League qualifier against Besiktas.
Giroud had come off the bench to equalise in the dying moments at Goodison Park only to hurt his ankle in the last minute of added time. The forward subsequently told French media after the match that he envisaged being fit for the game against the Turkish side, with the tie still goalless after last week’s bad tempered contest at the Ataturk Stadium, but there are concerns within the Arsenal medical set-up that the injury may be more serious than initially thought. Giroud had come off the bench to equalise in the dying moments at Everton on Saturday only to hurt his ankle in the last minute of added time. The forward told French media he envisaged being fit to face the Turkish side but there are concerns at Arsenal the injury may be more serious than initially thought. The tie is goalless after last week’s bad tempered game at the Ataturk Stadium.
The forward was being assessed at London Colney on Monday with the medical department to continue to monitor the joint as Arsène Wenger’s side step up their preparations for the European tie. Giroud had started that game in Istanbul, albeit mustering little impact, with Yaya Sanogo having remained in England nursing a slight thigh complaint. Wenger had initially utilised Alexis Sánchez through the middle at Everton and may have to employ the Chilean there again against Besiktas if he is denied his compatriot. Giroud was being assessed on Monday and the medical department will continue to monitor the player as Arsène Wenger’s side step up their preparations for the European tie. Giroud had started that game in Istanbul, albeit mustering little impact, with Yaya Sanogo having remained in England nursing a slight thigh complaint. Wenger had initially utilised Alexis Sánchez through the middle at Everton and may have to employ the Chilean there again against Besiktas if Giroud is unable to play.
Whether the injury, which is not believed to be a fracture and is therefore only likely to keep Giroud out for a few weeks at worst, influences the manager to change his transfer policy in what remains of the window remains to be seen. Arsenal are not blessed with many centre-forward options, with Wenger more concerned with adding a fourth centre-half to his ranks and, potentially, a central midfielder.Whether the injury, which is not believed to be a fracture and is therefore only likely to keep Giroud out for a few weeks at worst, influences the manager to change his transfer policy in what remains of the window remains to be seen. Arsenal are not blessed with many centre-forward options, with Wenger more concerned with adding a fourth centre-half to his ranks and, potentially, a central midfielder.
That emphasis may now shift in a bid to secure another forward ahead of the cut-off. Alternatively, he could simply pull the plug on Lukas Podolski’s prospective move to Juventus. The Italian club are due to speak with Arsenal this week seeking to take the Germany international on a season-long loan – his current club were initially seeking a fee of around £10m which would see him move permanently, with both Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg also interested – but the 29-year-old may now be required at the Emirates stadium for the weeks ahead. That emphasis may now shift in a bid to secure another forward. Alternatively, he could simply pull the plug on Lukas Podolski’s move to Juventus. The Italian club are due to speak with Arsenal this week seeking to take the Germany international on a season-long loan. Arsenal were initially seeking a fee of around £10m which would see him move permanently, with both Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg also interested.