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Attacker becomes Arsenal’s latest injury doubt ahead of Chelsea

By on February 2, 2017
arsenal's olivier giroud

Image credit: Daily Star

Arsenal’s injury problems are mounting as the Times are reporting that Olivier Giroud is the latest injury doubt ahead of our trip to Chelsea this weekend.

Giroud was seen limping inside the opening 10 minutes of our disappointing 2-1 defeat to Watford on Tuesday night but he was able to soldier on until half time – although he was barely involved in the game.

The French international was replaced at the break by Theo Walcott and many praised Arsene Wenger for making such an early substitution as we looked to get back in the match having been trailing 2-0 at half-time.

However, it turns out the switch wasn’t tactical after-all as the Times claim that Giroud was suffering from an ankle injury and had to come off at the break on Tuesday.

And the paper says that the 30-year-old is now considered as a doubt for Saturday’s trip to Stamford Bridge to face Premier League leaders Chelsea.

The news comes as the latest blow as Aaron Ramsey has already been ruled out after suffering a calf injury against Watford while there are rumours circulating that Francis Coquelin is also carrying a knock.

alex-oxlade-chamberlain arsenal

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain finished the Watford game limping after taking a kick to his knee but the 23-year-old is expected to recover and will hopefully line-up alongside Coquelin against Chelsea.

Giroud’s injury means that Danny Welbeck could return to start up front after being rested in midweek but the crisis in midfield is worrying as we have very little back-up behind The Ox and Coquelin.

With Ramsey joining Santi Cazorla on the treatment table, Mohamed Elneny away at the African Nations Cup and Granit Xhaka suspended it leaves youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles as our only support in the middle of the park.

It’s not the idea situation as we head to the Bridge desperately needing a win to close the gap to six points on Chelsea and keep alive our faint hopes of the title.