Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed striker Olivier Giroud and midfielder Mikel Arteta will be available when Manchester United travel to the Emirates on Saturday.
The French international picked up a foot injury during the league clash against Everton in August, while the Spaniard has also struggled with injuries and missed the north London club’s last few fixtures.
“Giroud and Arteta are both available. It’s just a question of how ready they are. But they are available,” Wenger told Arsenal’s official website.
“He [Giroud] is three or four weeks ahead of schedule. Originally we planned to have him back for competition at the beginning of next year. So he’s one month ahead.”
After Giroud picked up an injury, the Gunners signed Danny Welbeck from United on the deadline day. Since then, the England international has been the first choice striker at the Emirates.
Wenger says Arsenal relied heavily on the former United striker in his compatriot’s absence.
“Yes [we were relying on Welbeck], and on Sanchez as well. But we have Giroud back, we have Walcott back. Slowly they will integrate into the team again and give us different options,” he said.
When asked about Laurent Koscielny and Mathieu Debuchy, Wenger said: ” Koscielny and Debuchy are doing well, they are out on the field [working] again. We have to see now. Usually field work is three weeks away from full group training.”
“Then there is fitness. It looks straightforward for Debuchy. It’s not inflammation, it’s just repairing surgery. For Koscielny, it depends how well he responds to training. At the moment he looks good,” Arsenal manager added.
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