Arsenal’s Giroud faces fitness test ahead of Chelsea clash

Olivier Giroud faces a late fitness test to see if he can play a part in Arsenal’s game against Chelsea on Saturday.

The France striker missed last weekend’s Premier League win at Hull and the midweek EFL Cup game against Nottingham Forest with a toe injury.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said Giroud trained with the squad on Thursday and would be assessed on Friday for any ill effects, before a decision on his availability is made.

Midfielder Aaron Ramsey had already been ruled out of the Chelsea game with a hamstring injury, and Wenger said he did not expected the Welshman to return until after the international break.

Club captain Per Mertesacker, full-back Carl Jenkinson and striker Danny Welbeck are all long-term absentees with knee injuries.

Chelsea are hopeful that their skipper John Terry will be fit, having missed the last two games with an ankle injury.