Arsenal will not be able to call upon striker Olivier Giroud for their remaining Champions League group matches.
The France international striker suffered an ankle injury in August and was not expected to return until January, meaning he was not included on their 25-man squad list for Europe’s top competition but he will be able to compete in the Champions League if they progress to the next round.
Giroud made his return ahead of schedule as a substitute in the defeat to Manchester United on Saturday and marked his comeback with a brilliant late goal in the 2-1 defeat.
Arsenal host German outfit Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday and travel to Turkey to face Galatsaray in their final Group D games.
Arsenal trail Dortmund by five points and they must win on Wednesday to stand any chance of winning the group, but they do have a five-point lead themselves over third-placed Anderlecht.
Arsene Wenger’s men need just one point from their remaining games to secure a place in the knockout rounds and Giroud’s absence should not prove too costly for the Gunners.
Arsenal will be without midfielder Jack Wilshere (ankle) for Dortmund’s visit and keeper Wojciech Szczesny (hip) is also expected to miss out.
Santi Cazorla is the most likely candidate to replace Wilshere and Emiliano Martinez will start in goal if Szczesny is unavailable.
Arsenal are 2.38 to beat BVB while a draw, which would see the Gunners qualify and Dortmund win the group, is available at 3.26 and a win for the German side is 2.91.
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