Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud is available to play against Manchester United, after being out of action for months with a leg injury.
Giroud wasn’t expected to return to the Emirates until 2015, but his recovery has proved to be swifter than anticipated. He could now potentially appear in Arsenal’s match against the flagging Manchester side this weekend.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said of his potential return to action: “He 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.”
Arsenal have faced a series of injuries this season, with Mesut Ozil still out of action for the side. However, Manchester United are similarly injury-stricken, with Ashley Young, Marcus Rojo, Jesse Lingard and Daley Blind all definitely set to sit on the sidelines, while doubt has been cast over both Angel Di Maria and Luke Shaw who returned from international duty with injuries.
Manchester United have faced Arsenal with a less-than-stellar team before, and have bested them on many of these occasions. However, given United’s current run of form it is going to prove to be a more of an uphill battle for Louis van Gaal’s club this weekend.
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