Olivier Giroud eyes return to Arsenal XI as Arsene Wenger backs striker to respond to being dropped

Arsenal striker Oliver Giroud will try and force his way into the starting line-up as the Gunners take on Sunderland this Saturday.

The Frenchman was given an extended summer break by Arsene Wenger following Euro 2016 as France made the final, meaning his pre-season was disrupted.

A toe injury sustained again Paris Saint Germain on September 13th was aggravated against Chelsea 11 days later, meaning he has been fighting for fitness.

But Wenger said he believed in Giroud's ability and insisted they missed him, especially in their narrow 1-0 win over Burnley last month.

''I am an admirer of Giroud because he has gone through some tough times and he bounces back,” Wenger said. ''He's an important player in our squad.''

Granit Xhaka
Giroud and Xhaka train ahead of Sunderland game
Arsenal manager
Arsene Wenger has backed Giroud to bounce back
Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka
Aaron Ramsey carries the ball in training

Giroud continued his comeback from his toe injury as came on in the 66th minute in Tuesday's win, but will be hoping to force his way into the side – and score his first goal of the season - when they play a Sunderland team still looking for their first win.

Wenger's prepares his side to play a second north-east team in a week, but his preparations have been far from ideal. Lucas Perez limped out of Tuesday's 2-0 EFL cup win against Reading following challenge from Royals Danzell Gravenberch - a tackle the Frenchman branded ''stupid''.

"It's an injury coming from nowhere, and a stupid one, because it was a deliberate kick," said Wenger. "It's very frustrating. It was not needed."

The 17m summer signing, who has two goals in six matches for the Gunners, will now be out for up to two months.

Arsenal training - 28/10/16

VIEW GALLERY
Santi Cazorla and Granit Xhaka

Arsenal are still without Granit Xhaka as he serves the last of a three-match ban following his red card for a challenge on Swansea's Mo Barrow – a tackle that Wenger compared to that of Gravenberch. "It's a similar tackle to Xhaka, but there was no red card'' said Wenger, who has been in charge of the Reds for 20 years now.

Wenger has confirmed he has doubts over Theo Walcott (hamstring), Nacho Monreal (muscular) and Santi Cazorla (Achilles).

“We have a few uncertainties about Walcott, Monreal and Cazorla - they have tests today.''

Walcott, who has scored eight goals this season, set out of the Reading win as he struggles with a slight hamstring injury. Wenger has confirmed he will play on against Ludogorets in Tuesday's Champions League match, even if he doesn't play this weekend. The England international is likely to be replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who scored both goals in the midweek win.

Gabriel and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Gabriel and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain battle for the ball
Santi Cazorla
Santi Cazorla lines up a shot in training
Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Alex Iwobi, Donyell Malen, Shkodran Mustafi and Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Arsenal players share a joke in training

Cazorla, who has scored two and made two assists, was missed as he set out last weeks 0-0 draw against Middlesbrough at the Emirates and is struggling to make it back Aaron Ramsey could return after a hamstring injury that has ruled him out since the opening match against Liverpool, although Wenger is likely to be cautious with him. Nacho Monreal is likely to miss out.

Mohammed Elneny, Francis Coquelin and Alex Iowobi could all start as Arsenal look to get back to winning ways in the league.

Arsenal are in second place in the table, only on goal difference, joint top with Manchester City as they head to the Stadium of light looking to keep the pressure on Pep Guardiola's men. With seven Premier League win's to their name and only beaten once, they will fancy their chances of returning with all three points against a team who are yet to keep a clean sheet and have been beaten in seven of their nine top-flight matches, with no wins.

Poll loading …