Arsenal have debunked rumours that Olivier Giroud was unconscious at any point during Sunday’s Premier League opening-day loss to West Ham.
Cheikhou Kouyate and Mauro Zarate scored for the Hammers, as they shocked the Gunners at the Emirates.
But as the hosts chased the game, Giroud was involved in a nasty collision with James Tomkins 16 minutes from time.
The France striker laid motionless on the pitch, before he was rolled to his side by his team-mates.
Both players eventually got back to their feet after treatment and finished the game, without being assessed by an independent doctor in the tunnel, as required by the Premier League.
Arsenal were criticized for keeping Giroud on the pitch, but they have now come out to defend their actions.
The Gunners’ official account tweeted: “Update on Olivier Giroud: contrary to some reports, he was not unconscious at any point after collision today and has returned home as usual”.
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