Both the Telegraph and the Guardian are reporting that Olivier Giroud is almost certain to miss Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Besiktas, and could be out for a number of weeks with the ankle injury he picked up against Everton.

The Frenchman was hurt when he blocked a clearance from Sylvain Distin and the worry is that he damaged ligaments in the process.

After the game on Saturday Arsene Wenger said, “It’s a stretched ankle, at the moment it doesn’t look too good.”

With Yaya Sanogo also struggling with an injury, Giroud’s absence would be a big blow ahead of such an important fixture.

It might put a stop to the departure of Lukas Podolski or, indeed, if it’s more serious, force the manager into the transfer market in search of a new striker.

Alexis or Joel Campbell may be thrust into centre-forward action on Wednesday should Sanogo not recover.