Arsene Wenger explained why both Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Jack Wilshere were missing from his Arsenal starting XI to face Swansea.

Mkhitaryan is yet to make his debut for Arsenal after completing a move to north London in a swap deal which saw Alexis Sanchez head in the opposite direction to Manchester United last week.

Much of the talk leading up to Tuesday night’s clash at the Liberty Stadium surrounded Olivier Giroud’s future amid speculation that the striker is set to join Chelsea.

Some reports suggested that Giroud had left the team hotel ahead of the match but the Frenchman was named on Arsenal’s bench with Mkhitaryan, while Wilshere was missing from Wenger’s squad entirely.

Asked about Mkhitaryan and Giroud being named on his bench, Wenger told Sky Sports: ‘They are both on bench and I think we have a similar team.

‘Wilshere is out because he’s sick and Aaron Ramsey comes in for him.

‘Apart from that Mkhitaryan has to adapt so we give him some time.

‘He’s not played the full 90 minutes for a long time but looks quite sharp and ready to play.’

Alexandre Lacazette, who starts up front at Swansea, will be desperate to impress ahead of the imminent arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

MORE: Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Olivier Giroud named on Arsenal bench for Swansea clash