Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted Olivier Giroud deserved to be sent off against QPR, but confirmed the striker has apologised for his dismissal.

Giroud, 28, was shown a red card for headbutting Nedum Onuoha in the second half of the Gunners’ 2-1 victory.

“It was a deserved red card,” said Wenger, celebrating his 400th Premier League win as Arsenal manager.

“Madness is a strong word – he didn’t kill him. But he touched him and should not have done it”, Wenger told bbcsports.

Giroud will begin a three-match suspension, which includes league games against West Ham and Southampton and an FA Cup tie against Stoke.

“Olivier Giroud knows he made a mistake and I know him well enough to think that he will not do it again”, added Wenger, whose team are now sixth in the league.