Giroud, Oezil back in action

– With Arsene Wenger once again under fire for a lack of success in the transfer market, the Arsenal manager will be relieved to welcome back Olivier Giroud and Mesut Oezil (above) for their first starts of the season at Watford today.

Giroud and Oezil made brief substitute appearances in last weekend’s draw at champions Leicester after being kept out of the opening weekend defeat against Liverpool following their Euro 2016 exertions with France and Germany respectively.

In the absence of the two key players, Wenger’s side have made a stuttering start and head to Vicarage Road still searching for their first win.

And the return of French striker Giroud and German playmaker Oezil will beef up Wenger’s forward options after they appeared limited at Leicester.

Wenger is still without midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who suffered a hamstring problem when he started against Liverpool.

Ramsey’s appearance after helping Wales reach the Euro semifinals came as a surprise to his national team coach Chris Coleman, who hinted Wenger had pushed the player too hard.

“We all expected Aaron to miss the match so I don’t know what happened between then and when he ended up on the pitch,” Coleman said.

“Obviously only Arsenal can answer that. If you were looking at that team-sheet, it was a bit of a surprise he started. Aaron said himself he wasn’t expecting to.”

Wenger’s gamble on Ramsey backfired but his decision to restore France centreback Laurent Koscielny to the starting line-up at Leicester paid off, despite the defender carrying a back injury.

Koscielny added strength to a back four that had looked distinctly suspect against Liverpool. – AFP