Olivier Giroud Injury: Updates on Arsenal Star's Foot and Return

Olivier Giroud has returned to first-team action for Arsenal following the foot injury suffered against Everton in the early stages of the season, but still won't be able to play in the club's upcoming Champions League match.

Continue for updates.

Monday, Nov. 24

Giroud Not Registered for Wednesday's Champions League Match

Giroud was not registered for Arsenal's squad for the upcoming Champions League match against Dortmund. "Arsenal need one point to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages where they can then register Giroud for those matches.," 101GreatGoals.com points out.

Saturday, Nov. 22

Giroud Returns to Squad

Arsenal's official Twitter feed provides an update on Giroud's status for Saturday's match:

Thursday, Nov. 20

Giroud "Available" to Face United

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Giroud has a chance of playing some part in Arsenal's key clash with Manchester United on Saturday. He told the club's official website:

"

Giroud and Arteta are both available. It's just a question of how ready they are. But they are available.

He (Giroud) is three or four weeks ahead of schedule. Originally we planned to have him back for competition at the beginning of next year. So he's one month ahead.

"

Thursday, Nov. 13

Giroud Returns to Training

Arsenal were boosted by the sight of a fit-again Giroud in training on Thursday, reported by the Gunners' official Twitter:

Friday, Oct. 31

Giroud Back Before End of the Year

Olivier Giroud is expected to return from his foot injury before the end of the year, Arsene Wenger revealed ahead of Arsenal's clash with Burnley.

Kevin Palmer of the Sunday World and ESPN provides the latest:

Giroud took to Instagram to show that's back at training:

Monday, Oct. 13

Giroud Boost for Gunners

Arsenal have received some long-awaited good news on the injury front, with reports suggesting that Olivier Giroud could return to action a lot sooner than first thought.

Speaking with beIN Sports (h/t Charlie Skillen of the Mail Online), Arsene Wenger finally provided Arsenal supporters with some good news by revealing the French forward is ahead of schedule on his recovery.

The Gunners boss also teased the prospect of a formidable-looking strike force, insisting Giroud and new signing Danny Welbeck can play together:

"

Olivier Giroud is recovering very well. I believe he is ahead of schedule in terms of rehabilitation. The operation went perfectly.  

Welbeck and [Giroud] can play together in the centre or separately.

Welbeck also played on one side to Manchester United. Welbeck played in the same team with Rooney and van Persie. He can play down the sides.

"

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Arsenal will be delighted to eventually welcome back the 28-year-old striker, who has been on the sidelines since the second week of the season with a long-term foot problem. The former Montpellier man offers the Gunners a robust physical presence at the sharp end of the pitch, and he will afford Wenger even more attacking options.

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

It’ll be intriguing to see just how Wenger manages the situation regarding the two forwards, though. While the Frenchman claimed that the pairing can play together, it’s rare to see Arsenal deploy a system that accommodates two orthodox strikers.

Wenger also touched on Welbeck’s versatility, and that may come as something of a concern to the England international. He prefers to play as a central striker and, after thriving in that position since swapping the north-west for the south-east, you suspect he won’t be too optimistic about potentially being shifted onto the flanks again.

Here's how Giroud and Welbeck compared last season, courtesy of Squawka:

The Emirates faithful will be hoping this news is the start of their luck turning in terms of fitness. Their campaign has been punctured with injury after injury this season, and with a testing run of fixtures on the horizon, it’ll be interesting to see how the Gunners’ depleted squad copes as they chase glory on the domestic and European front.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Having Giroud back ahead of the initial prognosis date of 2015 would be a major boost, though. Not only will he bring plenty in terms of his obvious on-pitch qualities, his return would pep up the resigned mood that currently emanates from the Emirates.