Olivier Giroud likely to make Arsenal squad for Chelsea clash

Arsenal have received a major boost ahead of their clash against Chelsea on Saturday (24 September) after Olivier Giroud came through an intense training session at London Colney on Friday (23 September) to prove his fitness. Arsene Wenger had admitted that he would make a decision following the final training session after Giroud missed the Gunners' clashes with Hull City in the Premier League and Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup with a toe injury.

The London Evening Standard says that the French striker is pushing for a start after taking part in a full training session with the rest of the first-team. Giroud, who was pictured training with the rest of the squad, is yet to make a start this season after coming off the bench in all the games thus far.

The 29-year-old forward has played just 67 minutes of football this campaign, and has lost his place in the starting line up to Alexis Sanchez, who is Wenger's preferred choice in the number nine position at the moment. Summer arrival Lucas Perez has also made two starts and has already opened his account with a brace during the north London club's 4-0 win over Forest on Tuesday (20 September).

The French manager could be tempted to start the striker against Chelsea on Saturday, as he searches for Arsenal's first win against the Blues in ten meetings. Giroud offers a different avenue of attack owing to his physical stature unlike Alexis or Lucas, who play between the lines.

The north London club are still without Aaron Ramsey, who is yet to recover from the hamstring injury he sustained during their opening weekend loss to Liverpool. The Wales international was expected to return following the previous international break, but Wenger has indicated that he will return only after the upcoming break which commences on the week starting 3 October.