Giroud out for four months with broken leg

Olivier Giroud is likely to miss the entire UEFA Champions League group stage after Arsenal FC manager Arsène Wenger confirmed the France forward had broken his left tibia.

"Giroud had surgery from a broken tibia and while it went well, he will be out for three to four months, competition-wise," Wenger said after last night's play-off victory over Beşiktaş JK. "He will be capable of playing again in the Premier League end of December but it may be the beginning of January before he is competitive at the top level."

The 27-year-old sustained the injury in the dying seconds of Saturday's 2-2 draw at Everton FC, having come off the bench to score a 90th-minute equaliser. Giroud started 36 of Arsenal's 38 Premier League matches last season, scoring 16 goals.