Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will have to rethink his attacking options for the English Premier League run-in after striker Olivier Giroud lost his bid to overturn a three-match ban for a red card at Fulham.
The Football Association on Tuesday upheld the decision of referee Andre Marriner to dismiss the France international in the final minute of Saturday’s 1-0 win at Craven Cottage for jumping into a challenge with defender Stanislav Manolev.
As a result, Giroud must now serve the mandatory suspension – which starts against Manchester United on Sunday.
A statement from the FA read: “Following a Regulatory Commission hearing, Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud has had his claim for wrongful dismissal rejected.
“Giroud was dismissed for serious foul play during his side’s game against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday 20 April 2013.
“The player’s three-match suspension will therefore commence with immediate effect.”
The loss of Giroud, who has netted 17 goals since his STG13 million ($A19.43 million) summer move from Montpellier, is certainly a blow to Wenger’s squad as they look to lock-down Champions League qualification.
Arsenal retain a slender one-point lead over fourth-placed Chelsea and are two ahead of north London rivals Tottenham, having played a match more.
As well as the showdown with United – when the Gunners are expected to form a guard of honour for the newly-crowned champions – Giroud will also miss the trip to relegation-threatened QPR and the final home match of the season against FA Cup finalists Wigan.
He will be eligible to play again on the last day at Newcastle.
Theo Walcott is one option for a central striker, and is currently leading scorer with 18.
German international Lukas Podolski is another who has been pressing for a start down the middle, looking to add to a goal tally of 14.
With Chelsea and Tottenham set to face each other at Stamford Bridge on May 8, Arsenal know if they maintain the momentum of five wins from their previous six league games, then a top-four finish will be within reach.
Arsenal have responded magnificently since they were beaten 2-1 at Tottenham on March 3, with their fine run of form kicked off by winning at Bayern Munich, albeit losing the Champions League tie on away goals.
Midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain believes that if Arsenal beat United on Sunday they would renew hope of a sustained title challenge next season.
“The win over Bayern wasn’t enough to get us to qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals but it was still a massive boost for us as a side,” he said.
“We are still feeding off the momentum of that and a win over United can have the same effect.
“Obviously it is a massive game for us with a Champions League place at stake but it is also massive for next season with the confidence we can get from winning.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain thinks if everything comes together on Sunday, then there is no reason why Arsenal cannot inflict defeat on Sir Alex Ferguson’s all-conquering squad.
“As a team we are as good as anyone in the Premier League, right up there with the best in Europe and worldwide,” he said.
“There are a few things we need to tie up but we have been working hard as a team and becoming an increasingly tight unit and we are winning games that we should win.
“We have quality players in our side and believe we can beat anyone.”
United sealed a 20th domestic championship as a hat-trick by Robin van Persie – sold to United from Arsenal last summer – helped beat Aston Villa 3-0 at Old Trafford on Monday night.
Tradition has seen champions clapped onto the pitch in the past, with United having done so in 2005 for Chelsea, who returned the gesture two years later, and also Arsenal back in 1991 at Highbury.
However, given the animosity from some Gunners supporters to the STG24 million departure of their former captain to United, where he has scored 28 goals, the issue has raised some concern.
Nevertheless, Press Association Sport understands Arsenal will proceed with the plans to mark United’s achievements.