Wenger to play experienced Arsenal team against Bradford, but Giroud out

Dec 10, 2012 9:30:00 PM

The Gunners' summer signing has not recovered from a knock at the weekend, and will be one of many unavailable to face the Bantams, who will be looking for a giant-killing

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Olivier Giroud will be unavailable for their Capital One Cup match against Bradford City on Tuesday.

The France international, who made the move from Montpellier to north London during the summer transfer window, has failed to recover from a knock sustained during the Gunners' victory over West Bromwich Albion,

The Bantams will be looking for their second Premier League scalp after beating Wigan in the previous round, and Wenger also confirmed the abscence of several other first team players, including Theo Walcott (calf), while Abou Diaby and Laurent Koscielny are both out with thigh injuries. However, the manager confirmed that he would be fielding an experienced team as they look to avoid a giant-killing.

"The only new player who is not available is Olivier Giroud. He got a kick on his back on Saturday. He has not recovered and he will be out," Wenger told the club's official website.

"We will have an experienced squad at Bradford. We have a good recovery time ahead of the game at Reading on Monday. So we can use the players we want to use.

"Theo is still out. Along with Diaby, Santos, Koscielny. Nico Yennaris has a back problem and Ignasi Miguel has a thigh problem. [Mannone] He is back in the squad."

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!

play

open

Inside Goal.Com

Top 10 all-time Champions League scorers
As the competition moves within days of its much-anticipated conclusion at Wembley, Goal profiles the most prolific players in its history
'Mario, you will never redeem yourself'
Mario Gotze's injury means the playmaker has now played his final game for Borussia Dortmund. In an open letter, a fan tells of his emotion at his controversial switch to Bayern
BVB's rise from the abyss to European contenders
BVB have recovered from teetering on the edge of bankruptcy to take their place on Europe's grandest stage, humbling their opponents on Saturday, Bayern Munich, along the way
Transfer Talk: Mourinho wants six new signings
Get your daily dose of all the speculation from around the globe as clubs cast their eye towards summer reinforcements
Soulless EPL must face up to grim reality
After a season marred by controversy and a failure of its top teams to put up a credible Champions League challenge, the world's supposed best league is falling behind