‘World class’ Giroud eyes late charge for the title
OLIVIER GIROUD strutted out of St James’ Park and was the last to board Arsenal’s bus, having been first to pretty much everything else for his team in a hard-earned win on Tyneside. It brought two more goals for the Frenchman against Newcastle. That’s 17 in 26 games this season and 10 in his last 12, one of the best strike-rates in Europe. While Harry Kane is cherished by Tottenham supporters, some Arsenal fans have yet to embrace Giroud fully. The statistics speak for themselves, however. And even though Giroud is 29 in September, Arsene Wenger believes the best is yet to come from a 6ft 4in striker who developed late and was still playing lower-league football in France as recently as 2010. Asked if Giroud (below) is now world-class, Wenger said: ‘I think so and the goals prove it. But there is room for improvement. ‘Technically, he is a much better player than he was. His touch, his link play, his finishing have all improved. ‘He is a fighter and a player with good mental strength.’ Giroud’s goals gave Arsenal a sixth straight league win and kept them on the fringe of the title race. But you wonder how much closer they would be had he not spent three months out with a broken leg early in the season. Wenger’s side won only three of nine league games in his absence. ‘We need to win every game and we want to,’ said Giroud. ‘You never know if City or Chelsea will miss one of these steps.’ Arsenal still had to hold on in the face of a fierce second-half fightback from Newcastle but the hosts couldn’t prevent a third defeat in a row, placing even more importance on the forthcoming Tyne-Wear derby. Caretaker boss John Carver is already looking ahead to summer transfer dealings. ‘Without naming any names, I’ve seen some of the players they are talking about and I’m quite excited,’ said Carver. ‘Major work has to be done, we know that. I know the type of players the fans like and they’re on the list.’
SUPER STAT: Olivier Giroud has eight goals in six games against Newcastle, including scoring with all five headers on target against them in the Premier League.
NEWCASTLE (4-1-4-1): Krul 6; Taylor 6.5, Janmaat 6.5, Williamson 5.5, Colback 5.5; Anita 5 (Gutierrez 72min, 6); Sissoko 7, Ameobi 5.5 (Armstrong 89), Gouffran 6, Cabella 7; Perez 7. Subs not used: Elliot, Obertan, Riviere, Satka, Kemen. Scorer: Sissoko 48.
ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Ospina 7; Chambers 6, Paulista 6, Koscielny 6.5, Monreal 5.5; Coquelin 7, Ramsey 7; Sanchez 6 (Rosicky 71, 6), Cazorla 6.5 (Flamini 71, 6), Welbeck 6.5 (Bellerin 89); Giroud 8.
Subs not used: Szczesny, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Walcott. Scorer: Giroud 24, 28.
Man of the match: Olivier Giroud. Referee: Mike Jones 7.