Arsene Wenger is unsure when Olivier
Giroud will make a comeback from his injury but confirmed
the striker will see a specialist about the problem.
The France international sustained
what seemed to be a foot injury in the final minutes of Arsenal's 2-2 draw at
Everton on Saturday.
Giroud looked in some discomfort
after the ball struck his left foot, and reports on Monday suggested he could
face three months on the sidelines.
Wenger confirmed the striker will
miss Wednesday's Champions League meeting with Besiktas but did not provide a
timescale for his absence.
He said at a news conference:
"Olivier will not play against Besiktas and will see a specialist, then
we'll make an announcement of how long he'll be out.
"It can be [a long-term
injury]. We'll see tomorrow. I don't know [if it's broken]. It's sad for
us."
Wenger was then asked whether
Giroud's injury would alter his approach to player recruitment in the final
week of the transfer window.
He said: "I learn one thing in
our job, you say nothing categorically. At the moment we are 24 hours in front
of a big game and our focus is on that and not the transfers."
Wenger went on to insist he had no
intention of rushing Theo Walcott back into his squad to cover for the probable
absence of Giroud, with the England winger closing in on a first- team return
as he recovers from a knee injury.
He added: "Theo is doing well
but we will respect the timing [of his return]. The timing is end of the month
to join in again, after the break I think he will be in full training.
Arsenal skipper Mikel Arteta and
full-back Kieran Gibbs will also miss the Champions League playoff game, but
Wenger expects both to be available after the upcoming break for international
fixtures.
Wenger also said Lukas Podolski will
remain at the club despite reports the forward could leave before
the close of the transfer window.
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