Arsene Wenger was finally able to deliver some positive news to Arsenal fans ahead of this weekend’s visit of Manchester United.
Both clubs have suffered a wealth of injury problems this season, but things finally appear to be looking up for the Gunners, who will have striker Olivier Giroud available for selection on Saturday – a month ahead of schedule after fracturing his tibia in August.
The French international is unlikely to be named in Wenger’s starting line-up, but the Arsenal boss says Giroud could play some part in the game, as well as captain Mikel Arteta, who has also been sidelined.
‘Giroud and Arteta are both available,’ Wenger told Arsenal.com. ‘It’s just a question of how ready they are. But they are available.
‘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.’
The Gunners will still be without defensive duo Laurent Koscielny and Mathieu Debuchy, while Wenger confirmed Mesit Ozil is still several weeks away from returning to the side.
‘Koscielny and Debuchy are doing well, they are out on the field [working] again.
‘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.
‘Ozil is doing well but he will not be ready before the start of 2015.’
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