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Olivier Giroud makes shock return for Arsenal, fit for Manchester United clash

Olivier Giroud

Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud reacts at the end of their English Premier League soccer match against Fulham at Craven Cottage, London, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

AP

Great news for the Gunners ahead of their huge clash against Manchester United on Saturday.

Olivier Giroud is back.

[ WATCH: Arsenal vs. Man. United, 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC, online via Live Extra ]

A month ahead of schedule, the 28-year-old French international striker has recovered from a broken leg he suffered during a 2-2 draw away at Everton on August 23.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was expecting to welcome Giroud back in January at the earliest, but the Gunners’ top scorer from last season has made a speedy recovery.

“He is three or four weeks ahead of schedule,” Wenger said in a press conference."Originally we planned to have him back for competition at the beginning of next year. So he’s one month ahead.”

This news comes at precisely the right time for Arsenal as Danny Welbeck is struggling with a hamstring injury he picked up for England in midweek against Scotland. Plus Giroud’s return will help to ease the burden on Welbeck and Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez. The latter has been a sensation since joining the Gunners from Barcelona in the summer and has scored 12 goals in 17 games for the North Londoners.

Giroud started off the season in good form too, scoring twice in his opening four games before breaking his leg.

With Theo Walcott easing back into things over the past few weeks and now Giroud available, Wenger’s attacking options are looking plentiful. Now, how about the backline? Arsenal’s boss confirmed that Matheiu Debuchy and Laurent Koscielny are both out on the training ground but still a month or so away from being available for games.

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