Arsene Wenger hopeful over Olivier Giroud fitness

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that Olivier Giroud will have a fitness test on his knee tomorrow to decide if he can play any part in their Champions League opener against Marseille.

Giroud has made a promising start to his second season at the Emirates, scoring in four consecutive Premier League games, including the opener in last weekend's 3-1 win over Sunderland.

The French international went off in the closing stages of that match with a knee problem, which Wenger admitted has not cleared up fully.

Wenger remains hopeful over Giroud's fitness but conceded that he may be forced to use Theo Walcott through the centre against Marseille.

He told the club's official website: "We have a few problems. Some with Mesut Ozil but the main one is Giroud, who has a knee problem.

"He will have a test tomorrow and hopefully he will be fit. But it will only be decided tomorrow.

"I have not really thought about it that much but the obvious solution is Walcott. We'll see."

The Gunners have a worrying striker shortage but did get an injury boost ahead of their flight to Southern France this morning, with Per Mertesacker passed fit after missing the trip to Sunderland through illness.