Arsene Wenger laments injury to Olivier Giroud that leaves Arsenal with one fit striker for chaotic festive period: 'It doesn't look very good'

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Arsene Wenger is confident Arsenal can cope with the loss of Olivier Giroud despite facing up to the prospect of heading into the festive period with one fit recognised senior striker.

The Gunners booked their place in the Carabao Cup semi-final with victory against West Ham on Tuesday night, but their win came at a cost after Giroud sustained the muscular injury late in the second half.

It means Arsenal will head into their festive fixtures with Alexandre Lacazette as their only fit recognised centre forward. 

Arsene Wenger lamented the hamstring injury suffered by Olivier Giroud in the Carabao Cup

The Frenchman will undergo scans but was in serious pain as he felt for the back of his leg

Wenger will now consider turning to Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott - who usually play in wider roles - to provide options up front.

The Gunners also have academy players Eddie Nketiah and Chuba Akpom who can play as a lone striker.

Giroud will have a scan on Thursday but early fears are that the France striker will miss a minimum of three weeks.

‘It was a positive night apart from losing Olivier Giroud,’ said Wenger.

‘He looks out for Friday (against Liverpool). It doesn’t look very good. A hamstring injury is normally 21 days so it looks like he is out for Christmas.

‘We will normally do scan 48 hours after then we will have an idea of the grade. But when you hear him, the pain is quite big. But the grade is not always linked with the pain.

‘What is very worrying in my job is when you start to lose players. You can’t then afford to lose another one or another one.

‘I have to look at how I manage the schedule. It puts more pressure on the rest of the squad, But I still have Walcott, Welbeck and Sanchez who can play up front.'

Alexandre Lacazette is the only fit and available striker for the Gunners now 

In a further blow, Francis Coquelin also limped off with a hamstring problem, but Wenger is hopeful the midfielder will be available for Friday night’s visit of Liverpool.

On his team’s victory over the Hammers, Wenger added: ‘I felt we played with quality, spirit and pace.

‘Over the 90 minutes we looked very solid defensively. We were tested but not in danger. We were less creative in the second half and it was down to not making a mistake.

‘It was intense, they defended very well and didn’t want to give us any space. In the first half we were patient and created some dangerous situations. In the second half we lost a bit of the pace in our game.’

The end of Tuesday night’s clash was marred by ugly clashes between both sets of supporters after the final whistle.

Fans had to be separated by stewards as the night threatened to turn violent. Both sets of supporters were seen launching plastic bottles at each other, though police and stewards ensured the clashes didn’t escalate. 

Francis Coquelin also suffered a knock but Wenger is hopeful it is not a significant injury