Arsene Wenger has revealed that Olivier Giroud got a bit of a knock on Sunday.

The forward, who got a goal and an assist in the rout against Aston Villa was substituted with 20 minutes to go, youngster Chuba Akpom getting some minutes the club must surely be hoping will convince him to stay at the club.

Speaking to Arsenal.com about Giroud’s improvement since he arrived at the club in 2012, Wenger also revealed that the Frenchman had been subbed off as a precatutionary measure.

Wenger said

“He got a kick during the game and I was a bit cautious with him.

“We could give another opportunity to Chuba Akpom and he has shown that he has quality when he comes on as well.”

Giroud’s goal was his fifth in his last six Premier League games and it is clear that he has come back from his broken ankle in even better form than he was before the injury.

About his striker’s improvement, Wenger added

“He’s much more focused, technically he has improved, his feet have improved, his movement has improved and he has a big presence in the game.

“It’s no coincidence that when he comes back, you feel strong.”

There is nothing to indicate that the kick suffered by Giroud will be anything that is likely to rule him out of the game against Tottenham on Saturday.