Olivier Giroud: Man Utd return for Arsenal striker after broken leg

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is available for this weekend's Premier League meeting with Manchester United.

The France international, 28, had been ruled out until the new year with a broken leg suffered against Everton in August, but has returned sooner than expected.

"He is three or four weeks ahead of schedule," manager Arsene Wenger said.

"Originally we planned to have him back for competition at the beginning of next year. So he's one month ahead."

Giroud came off the bench to score a 90th-minute equaliser at Goodison Park on 23 August but broke his left tibia in the closing seconds of the game.

Wenger also confirmed midfielder Mikel Arteta, 32, who suffered ahamstring injury in the 3-3 Champions League draw with Anderlecht on 4 November, is also ready to return.

"It's just a question of how ready they are, but they are available," Wenger added on Arsenal.com. 

Giroud's return follows Theo Walcott's comeback from a cruciate knee ligament injury earlier this month and further bolsters Wenger's attacking options.

"We have Giroud back, we have Walcott back," Wenger said. "Slowly they will integrate into the team again and give us different options."

Daley Blind: Manchester United midfielder suffers knee injury

Manchester United midfielder Daley Blind will have a knee scan on Monday after suffering a suspected medial ligament injury while playing for the Netherlands.

The 24-year-old limped off 20 minutes into the 6-0 victory over Latvia.

He has played eight times for United since his £13.8m summer move from Ajax.

Netherlands boss Guus Hiddink said: "I'm rather negative. I think it's a medial ligament that is twisted. It might be a rupture."

Blind said on Instagram:  "I'm proud of my 25 games for the Dutch national team, but I'm so gutted with my injury... I'll stay positive and will come back stronger! Nevertheless a great win, 6-0!"

He is the third United player to be injured during the international break, with goalkeeper David De Gea dislocating a finger during a training session with Spain on Friday and Michael Carrick withdrawing from the England squad with a "minor" groin injury.