Arsene Wenger has said that Olivier Giroud is not a tackler following his red card during Arsenal's 1-0 win over Fulham yesterday.

The Frenchman was dismissed for a challenge on Stanislav Manolev late in the game, having already seen Steve Sidwell get sent off for a tackle earlier in the match.

The Gunners manager told the club's official website: "I spoke with Giroud. He said to me that he slipped at the moment he went for the ball and it's confirmed by the television.

"I haven't seen it but he's not a tackler. He went over the ball and knowing that Sidwell had been sent off before, I had no illusion of the colour of the card.

"Sidwell's challenge was in front of me. I've seen that better. I think the referee had only the red card to give."

The result leaves Arsenal third in the Premier League table.

Written by
Sian Cowper