Summer Signing To Start For Arsenal vs Hull But Player Fails Late Fitness Test

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka is set to get a recall against Hull City but Olivier Giroud has failed a late fitness test and misses the trip to the KCOM Stadium, according to Goal.

Xhaka has started just two games since making a big-money move from Borussia Mönchengladbach in the summer with Arsene Wenger suggesting at his press conference on Friday that it’s going to take time for the midfielder to adjust to life in England.

The Switzerland international was left on the bench for recent games against Southampton and Paris Saint-Germain with Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin selected as the preferred central midfield paring.

However, Goal claim that Wenger has decided to recall Xhaka for this afternoon’s Premier League clash with Hull City with one of Cazorla or Coquelin set to make way.

There isn’t such positive news on Giroud though as the report indicates that the French international has been ruled out of the game with a toe injury that he sustained in midweek.

Giroud came on as a second half substitute against PSG on Tuesday night and seemingly picked up a toe problem before being sent off in stoppage time during our fortunate 1-1 draw.

The striker was able to take part in training at London Colney on Friday but it appears he was still in some discomfort so Wenger and the clubs medical team have decided not to risk him for the Hull game today.

In Giroud’s absence, the boss will have to decide whether to stick with Alexis Sanchez up front or give summer signing Lucas Perez another chance to impress after he made his full debut against Southampton last weekend.