Chelsea don’t need to sign striker in transfer window - Sarri

London: Maurizio Sarri insisted that Chelsea do not need to bring in another striker in January even if Olivier Giroud’s ankle injury proves serious. Giroud was substituted during Sunday’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace after twisting his ankle in a tackle from James Tomkins and left Selhurst Park on crutches, sparking fears that he had suffered ligament damage.

Any prolonged absence for the Frenchman will increase Sarri’s reliance on Eden Hazard -- deployed as a false nine in four of the past five Premier League games -- and Alvaro Morata, who has struggled on and off the pitch at Chelsea since arriving at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2017.

Gonzalo Higuain and Callum Wilson have both been touted as potential January transfer targets for Chelsea, while it has also been suggested that Sarri could recall Michy Batshuayi from an unfulfilling loan at Valencia or bring back Tammy Abraham from Aston Villa to fill the void.

Sarri, however, does not regard another striking option as a priority.

“No, because I have the option with Hazard in this position,” he said. “We have Morata and Hazard can play very well in this position as we have seen in the last matches, so I think at the moment I don’t need another striker. “Maybe another winger, because now we are in trouble with the injuries of Pedro, of [Callum Hudson-Odoi], [Ruben Loftus-Cheek], so I have options for the striker, but at the moment I have no option for the wingers.”-BBC Sports

Ozil speaks out on Twitter about injury frustration

Liverpool: Mesut Ozil wants to return for Arsenal “as soon as possible” after revealing his frustration at missing out for the Gunners over the festive period due to a knee injury.

Ozil missed Saturday’s 5-1 thrashing at Liverpool with a knee complaint, with Arsenal head coach Unai Emery saying after the game: “[It’s] His knee. I don’t know if it’s big or not big, but it’s his knee.”

After recovering from back problems earlier this season, Ozil had been given an extended run in the Arsenal side in recent weeks.

But his latest injury coupled with Emery’s reluctance to keep the midfielder on for the full 90 minutes of games against the ‘Big Six’ sides has led to speculation about whether the 30-yearold has a long-term future at the Emirates Stadium.

The German playmaker also missed Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Fulham on New Year’s Day, but took to Twitter after the match to congratulate his team-mates for the victory and tell fans that he is targeting a comeback as soon as he can.

“Positive start into 2019 for us! Congrats Gunners! Nevertheless it was hard for me to not being on the pitch due to my injury today. I definitely want to help the team as soon as possible again. Wishing all of you a happy, healthy and satisfying 2019! #YaGunnersYa #M1Ö”.