Arsene Wenger has explained the fitness issue concerning Olivier Giroud which has seen him remain on the sidelines.

The France international has endured a frustrating start to the new campaign after falling behind the likes of Theo Walcott and Alexis Sanchez in the pecking order at centre-forward.

Giroud, who was in impressive form for his country at Euro 2016, is yet to start a game in the Premier League this season and that will not change this weekend against Swansea City either.

The nature of his sending off against Paris Saint-Germain in September has prompted rumours that the 30-year-old is being punished with decreased playing time.

However, Wenger has played down those claims and insists the striker is really being sidelined by a lingering toe problem.

“Giroud will be a little bit the same [slow to recover like Ramsey] because he has been out now, he has still not been on the pitches.” the Arsenal manager said

“I think he starts to have a jog again today for the first time so he has been interrupted a lot in his preparation. We have to build his fitness up again.”

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