Olivier Giroud has been ruled out of the north London derby on Saturday – and Twitter has delivered mixed verdicts on the giant striker’s potential absence.
Sky Sports News were among the media outlets who reported Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger as saying at his media conference on Thursday morning that Giroud, 31, is unlikely to play at the weekend after suffering a thigh injury in France’s 2-0 win over Wales last Friday night.
“Giroud picked up an injury, I don’t think he will be available,” Wenger said. “It’s short term, we have to assess him on Monday.”
BREAKING: Arsene Wenger says Olivier Giroud is unlikely to be fit to face Tottenham after suffering a thigh injury while on international duty with France. #SSN pic.twitter.com/gvJzzu2dfy
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 16, 2017
Giroud was spotted with heavy bandaging wrapped around his thigh after being substituted two minutes after scoring the second of France’s goals against Wales.
The 6ft 3in striker has lost his regular starting spot to Arsenal summer signing Alexandre Lacazette and has also found himself behind Danny Welbeck and the versatile Alexis Sanchez in the pecking order for the front man role but he remains a key man for club and country.
Giroud spearheaded a brilliant France attack that also include Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann on Friday night and has appeared in 10 of Arsenal’s 11 Premier League matches this season.
Arsenal and Spurs fans were among those who took to Twitter to react the possible absence at Emirates Stadium of the front man, who has an impressive record of 101 goals in 244 games for the Gunners.
Some insisted that Giroud is only a back-up these days and that his unavailability will allow Lacazette to get more game time, while others claim he will be sorely missed by Arsenal.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets:
RIP Arsenal
— Jonsson (@TheBeastJonsson) November 16, 2017
Every year it’s the same ???? from Wenger. Desperate. They’ll all be fit.
— adam kinsley (@adamkinsley) November 16, 2017
is this breaking news? he doesnt start anyway does he??
— Rich P (@dudleypowell) November 16, 2017
Lacazette still won’t get 90 mins
— Ali Akhtar (@5starAkhtar) November 16, 2017
I don’t care. We don’t need this lampost when we have Lacazatte ????. Giroud is just a btec Crouch. Nothing more.
— Adam. (@BtecHeskey) November 16, 2017
Giroud out for NLD! This sucks! He’s always played well against these gimps
— Ehab J Johnson (@EhabJohnson) November 16, 2017
@clivepafc @YankeeGunner guys, is this a blessing in disguise, considering how Wenger doesn’t fully know when to use Giroud? Not having the option of playing Giroud against a Spurs side that press and defend high up would be helping ourselves https://t.co/A4wPIvpMK5
— Tikitekkers (@Tikitekkers) November 16, 2017