Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud will be hoping to start against former club Montpellier in tonight’s Champions League clash.
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The Gunners have travelled to face the French champions in their opening group game, and one man who is undoubtedly looking forward to the encounter is Giroud, who traded the Stade de la Mosson for the Emirates Stadium in the summer.
However, Giroud may have to settle for a place on the bench again after the Gunners hammered in six against Southampton this past weekend. When asked about a possible recall for Giroud in France, Wenger admitted: “What I will do on Tuesday, I honestly don’t know.”
One decision Wenger appears certain on is who will start in goal on Tuesday night. The Gunners are without first-choice goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny due to an ankle injury, meaning Vito Mannone will start between the sticks.
Injury rules out Bacary Sagna (leg), Emmanuel Frimpong (knee), Jack Wilshere (ankle) and Tomas Rosicky (hamstring), while Andriy Arshavin was not included in the travelling party. Abou Diaby was part of the group that flew out to France despite being troubled by a hip injury.
While Arsenal are flying high following Premier League wins over Liverpool and Southampton, their hosts, Montpellier, have endured a miserable start to their domestic campaign.
They stunned French football by winning the Ligue 1 title last season, holding off big-spending Paris St Germain, but they have won just one of five games so far and Rene Giroud has voiced concerns about a leaky defence.
Montpellier will be without former Portsmouth forward John Utaka after he suffered a thigh injury in the game against Reims. However, they do welcome back midfielder Jamel Saihi, who missed the last three games with a chest infection.