Olivier Giroud could be out of action for three months if a second scan confirms that his ankle is broken. This will definitely force Arsene Wenger into the transfer market for a new striker with Loic Remy, Samuel Eto’o and Danny Wellbeck identified as possible targets. With 7 days to go for the transfer window to close, Arsenal is facing a race against time to secure a possible replacement.
The Frenchman sustained the injury in the 2-2 draw against Everton over the weekend after scoring a late equaliser for the London side. There seems to be concerns about a possible break which has made the club send their target man for a second scan.
Giroud is sure to miss Arsenal’s Champion’s League play-off second leg against Besiktas on Tuesday night and the Premier League game against Leicester on Sunday. Giroud’s prolonged absence may revive Wenger’s interest in Queen’s Park Rangers’ Loic Remy or he may consider a short term deal with free agent Samuel Eto’o. Other possible options would be the signing of Paris St-Germain’s Edison Cavani or Monaco’s Radamel Falcao but both players would be expensive to get.
Arsene Wenger might try to keep Luka Podolski a little longer to fill the void, the World Cup winning German is attracting interest from the likes of Wolfsburg and Juventus and a bid of £11 million would ultimately confirm his departure.
Arsenal will also be without the likes of Mikel Arteta and suspended Aaron Ramsey in the game against Besiktas.