Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has defended his decision to substitute Olivier Giroud towards the end of Saturday's 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.

The Gunners boss received criticism from his own supporters after withdrawing the Frenchman for Francis Coquelin, but Wenger has claimed that the striker was "tired".

Meanwhile, the Arsenal boss has also explained his reasoning for not handing a starting role to England midfielder Jack Wilshere.

"Jack Wilshere has played three or four games in quick succession so I decided to give him a breather on Saturday. I took Olivier Giroud off towards the end of the game because he had given everything and was tired. Like Jack, he has played a number of games recently," he wrote in an email to club supporters.

Arsenal face Everton in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Written by
Matt Law