• Premier League

Wenger saddened by Giroud injury

Arsene Wenger is unsure when Olivier Giroud will return from his ankle injury but claimed the striker's setback was "sad" for Arsenal and confirmed he will have to see a specialist about the problem.

Although Giroud suffered the injury against Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday, initial scans were said to have been inconclusive.

He looked in some discomfort after the ball struck his left foot and reports on Monday suggested he could face three months on the sidelines if fears of a broken ankle were confirmed by a further investigations.

Olivier Giroud's injury could see Arsene Wenger revive his interest in Loic Remy © PA Photos

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Wenger confirmed the striker will miss Wednesday's Champions League meeting with Besiktas but did not provide a timescale for his absence beyond that.

"Giroud is out for tomorrow," Wenger said. "After that, we don't know how long he will be out for. It's sad for us.

"Olivier will see a specialist, then we'll make an announcement of how long he'll be out."

Wenger may now be forced to revive his interest in Queens Park Rangers striker Loic Remy, whom he turned down the chance to sign earlier this summer.

Arsenal were said to be willing to meet Remy's £8.5 million release clause, but refused to match his £90,000-a-week wage demands.

Giroud's injury is also likely to see Wenger scrap the proposed £10m sale of Lukas Podolski to Juventus.

Podolski is looking for first-team football and Wenger is believed to have given him his blessing to leave, with Galatasaray and Wolfsburg also interested.

But Wenger spoke to confirm that the World Cup-winner would be selected for the clash with Besiktas. "Podolski is in the squad tomorrow and will stay with us," he said.

Wenger has repeatedly insisted he would not consider signing an additional forward in this transfer window, with his belief that new signing Alexis Sanchez, and the soon to return Theo Walcott and Yaya Sanogo, offer him enough attacking options.

He also gave his backing to Giroud after his last-gasp equaliser at Everton and suggested he could finish this season with 25 Premier League goals.

Now the reports of his injury are confirmed, however, those plans may have to be amended, with Arsenal's injury issues arising yet again a couple of weeks into the new season.

Mikel Arteta is also likely to be unavailable until the visit of Manchester City on September 13, while Aaron Ramsey is suspended for Wednesday's match following his red card in the first leg against Besiktas.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd