Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that striker Olivier Giroud is unlikely to play again this year after undergoing surgery for an ankle injury.

The Gunners boss said that the Frenchman's operation was a success, but admitted that he will not be back in action until late December at the earliest.

"The news is that he had surgery today and the surgery went well but he will be out - maybe to be competitive at the top, top level - until the end of December, beginning of January," he told reporters.

Wenger bolstered his attacking options with the £35m capture of Alexis Sanchez this summer, but said that he is unsure whether he will be returning to the transfer market to find cover for Giroud.