Olivier Giroud in contention for Cologne trip as Arsenal striker returns to training after thigh injury

Back in action | Giroud returned to training ahead of Arsenal's trip to Germany

Action Images via Reuters

James Benge22 November 2017

Olivier Giroud returned to training with Arsenal on Wednesday morning ahead of the Gunners’ Europa League tie with Cologne.

The France striker played no part in Saturday’s north London derby after picking up a thigh strain on international duty but was due to resume work with the Arsenal first-team on Monday.

With Theo Walcott increasingly likely to miss the tie as he struggles to overcome the illness that ruled him out of the north London derby the return of Giroud will be welcome news for Arsene Wenger.

Giroud, Walcott and Jack Wilshere have been the manager’s preferred attacking trident in the Europa League and EFL Cup but Wenger has several options to replace Walcott should he be unavailable for tomorrow night’s game.

Arsene Wenger press conference after Arsenal 2-0 Tottenham

Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi could both be used, though the former represents a more like-for-like replacement for Walcott.

A point for Arsenal in Cologne will guarantee them top spot in Group H.