Olivier Giroud is out of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Liverpool on Friday night.

The French international picked up hamstring strain in the 75th minute of the 1-0 win over West Ham which sent the Gunners into the semi-finals next year, but the win was marred somewhat by the injury to the 31 year old.

Although he was unlikely to have started, he has often shown his prowess at coming off the bench to score late goals — in 2017 he has 10 strikes to his name after the 80th minute of games.

Speaking afterwards, Arsene Wenger confirmed the injury, saying, “When you listen to him the pain is quite big.

“It doesn’t look very good for him.”

There was another injury scare when Francis Coquelin was forced off late in the game, however Wenger was more positive about him, revealing that it was cramp rather than anything serious.

Like Giroud, he wouldn’t have started against the Mugsmashers, but at this time of the year – and with Aaron Ramsey already out until January – we could do without missing another midfielder.