London: Arsene Wenger admits losing Olivier Giroud once again is a body blow to Arsenal's Champions League push. Giroud is facing three games out after his red card in the 2-1 Boxing Day win against QPR.
<img title="Olivier Giroud" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2014/dec/O-Giroud2812.jpg" alt="Olivier Giroud" /> Arsenal's Olivier Giroud (left) headbutts QPR's Nedum Onuoha on Friday. Pic/AFP.
Alexis Sanchez helped keep 10-man Arsenal&rsquo;s Champions League ambitions afloat with a man-of-the-match display on Friday. The Chilean forward went from zero to hero after squandering an early penalty and then putting Arsenal ahead with a 37th-minute header before his mazy run carved out a second goal for Tomas Rosicky.
The Frenchman was sent off for a headbutt on Nedum Onuoha and his lack of discipline will see him first sit out today&rsquo;s London derby at West Ham. Having made a major impact since his return from ankle surgery that sidelined him for three months, Giroud&rsquo;s absence is the last thing the Arsenal manager needs at this pivotal stage of the season.
&ldquo;Olivier touched him (Onuoha) and he should not have done it,&rdquo; said Wenger. &ldquo;He knows he made a mistake and I know him well enough to think that he will not do it again. He told me he was pushed in the back and projected against the &rsquo;keeper. Maybe the injury he had played on his mind and he was scared to be injured again. Usually he is a guy in control of his response. You never need that &mdash; that&rsquo;s for sure. In my job you have to deal with it with the strengths and sometimes the mistakes of people.&rdquo;
Wenger might have celebrated his 400th Premier League win in charge of Arsenal but he won&rsquo;t be raising a glass to Giroud. The striker&rsquo;s physicality will be missed at Upton Park, especially with the aerial bombardment West Ham putting teams under pressure with Andy Carroll in their ranks.
Hopes rest on Alexis&rsquo; shoulders Much will rest on the shoulders of Sanchez, who scored and then created Tomas Rosicky&rsquo;s goal in another man-of-the-match showing.
&ldquo;Sanchez has shown his ability to create chances and his commitment to the side, which has made such a difference for us this season,&rdquo; said Wenger.&nbsp;&ldquo;He is a guy full of confidence and playing with some real style.&rdquo;

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Arsene Wenger admits losing Olivier Giroud once again is a body blow to Arsenal's Champions League push. Giroud is facing three games out after his red card in the 2-1 Boxing Day win against QPR

Olivier Giroud knows he made a mistake: Wenger

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Olivier Giroud knows he made a mistake: Wenger

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