Jamie Redknapp expects Arsene Wenger to turn to Olivier Giroud against Middlesbrough as Arsenal look to bounce back from defeat at Crystal Palace.
The Gunners are 10 points behind fourth-place Manchester City with two games in hand following last Monday's damaging loss at Selhurst Park and victories for both Liverpool and City this weekend dented their Champions League hopes further.
Giroud has not made the Gunners starting XI since the 6-0 demolition of Lincoln in the FA Cup last month, and last started a Premier League game on March 4.
Danny Welbeck's return to fitness has seen the Frenchman shunted down the pecking order, but Redknapp believes Giroud will pose a greater danger to Boro's defence.
"I have a feeling Arsene Wenger will use Giroud to give his attack a different dimension against Middlesbrough after a disastrous defeat at Crystal Palace last week," Redknapp wrote in the Daily Mail.
"The Frenchman will allow Arsenal to go direct and get runners off him. Giroud can cause the Boro defence plenty of problems."
