Arsene Wenger has given the usual team news ahead of Arsenal's clash with Reading on Monday night, with a couple of key absentees returning to the fold as the Gunners look to bounce back (again) from the supreme embarrassment of Tuesday night.

The French are coming

Olivier Giroud is fit for selection after his back problem kept him out against Bradford, as confirmed by the man himself on Twitter.

His return will be welcome following the performances of various centre-forward replacements in his absence.

Meanwhile Laurent Koscielny defied the odds by returning from a three-week injury after, well, three weeks.

His strain was expected to keep him out longer due to Arsenal's rehab record, but that's not the case and he can now put pressure on Thomas Vermaelen once more.

Theo-you later

Theo Walcott remains out after injuring himself against Swansea, and with January looming and his contract unsigned, you'd be a fool not to think the two are related.

His injury was supposed to be minor and it's been two weeks now with seemingly no progress.

Tragedy

Abou Diaby is in 'no-man's land' with his injury and won't play until at least the new year.

You have to feel for him, he tried so hard to get fit for the season, started so well and then received a minor injury that his body simply can't take.

He's got something deeply wrong with his muscles, and you'd have to say he's a write-off.

The rumours about Mohamed Diame and Luis Gustavo suggest the club feel the same.

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