Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud ruled out of Liverpool clash with hamstring injury
Frenchman went down in the 78th minute and was immediately replaced by Reiss Nelson in the Carabao Cup clash at home to West Ham
ARSENAL striker Olivier Giroud has been ruled out of Friday's Premier League showdown against Liverpool with a hamstring injury.
The France striker limped off the pitch holding his leg during the Gunners' Carabao Cup win over West Ham.
Giroud pulled up during a 78th-minute counter-attack and fell to the floor unable to continue.
He put his head in his hands and looked distraught as he was immediately replaced by Reiss Nelson.
Arsene Wenger said: "It's a positive night but we lost Olivier Giroud.
"It doesn’t look very good for him. I think he’s out of Friday night.
"What is worrying is when you start to lose players. You can’t afford to lose another one."
The KO leaves Arsenal with just one fit out-and-out striker in Alexandre Lacazette.
Alexis Sanchez played centrally last term but has been moved out on the wing this season.
Danny Welbeck is able to lead the line but again has found better form out wide.
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Giroud, 31, will be hoping the problem does not develop into anything serious, with his World Cup dreams on the horizon.
He has been urged by France manager Didier Deschamps to find more regular first-team football outside of the Emirates and the January transfer window could prove a defining period for the hitman.
The ex-Montepellier striker has scored seven goals in all competitions, including the winner against Leicester and an equaliser against Southampton.
Francis Coquelin also left the pitch late on through injury but Wenger put it down to cramp.
Arsenal beat West Ham 1-0 at home to progress to the semi-final of the Carabao Cup.
Welbeck bundled in the winner just three minutes before the break to set up a last-four tie against either Manchester City, Chelsea, Bournemouth, Bristol City or Manchester United.
Wenger said: "I felt we played with quality and spirit and pace in the first half.
"For 90 minutes we looked solid defensively.
"Second half we lost a bit of pace and were less creative. So it was down to not making a mistake."