Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists he won’t sanction a big-money signing just for the sake of it, after seeing his defensive options decimated by injuries.
Advertisement
The Brazilian’s injury is the latest blow to Arsenal’s defense, which has been decimated by injuries and heads into the start of the season with just one fit centerback.
But Wenger is likely to stick to his pre-match plan for Giroud, with Chuba Akpom, who scored in four successive pre-season friendlies, and Theo Walcott in fine form in front of goal.
Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Paulista says he feels “much better” after injuring his ankle on Sunday and has assured fans he did not suffer a serious problem.
France global Laurent Koscielny is also likely to miss the Gunners opening league game at home to Liverpool next Sunday having yet to resume full training after helping his country reach the final of Euro 2016.
The Frenchman told the official Arsenal website: “We have Mourinho at Manchester United, Conte at Chelsea, Guardiola at Man City, Klopp at Liverpool, so it’s a little bit a world championship of managers as well”.
Wenger also provided a timescale for long term absentees Carl Jenkinson, Danny Welbeck and Per Mertesacker.
He said: “Jack is doing well, but he will be short for Sunday”.
Wenger snapped up Granit Xhaka for £30million in June but has only added young squad players since then.
“Of course, if Gabriel is out, and Mertesacker is out and Koscielny not ready, it makes many players”.
“I have not seen anything different in him”, the England global stated “I see the same hunger, if not even more”. It is very frustrating.
Advertisement
With Laurent Koscielny enjoying an extended break after Euro 2016, Wenger is set to start Calum Chambers and Rob Holding in the first game against Liverpool.
