GIROUD AT DOUBLE FOR WENGER’S SIXY BEASTS

OLIVIER GIROUD’S first- half double handed Arsenal a sixth successive Premier League win as they survived a spirited Newcastle fightback.

The Frenchman struck twice inside four minutes to leave Toon with a mountain to climb.

But John Carver’s depleted side more than made a fist of it after the break, with Moussa Sissoko’s 48th- minute goal changing the shape of the game.

Despite their best efforts to reel in Arsene Wenger’s men, Newcastle were unable to find an equaliser.

Carver moved rightback Daryl Janmaat into the middle to partner his only fit senior central defender Mike Williamson and asked midfielders Ryan Taylor and Jack Colback to fill in at right and left- back.

The plan was makeshift in the extreme, and it was not long before it was cruelly exposed.

Arsenal took the lead on 24 minutes when Giroud reacted first after Danny Welbeck flicked on Santi Cazorla’s free- kick.

Wrestling

Welbeck volleyed wide before Newcastle contributed to their own downfall in the 28th minutes.

Williamson became involved in a wrestling match with Giroud at a corner and the French striker headed past Tim Krul despite neither man leaving the ground.

Toon looked dead and buried, but the fans’ half- time boos were transformed into cheers within three minutes of the restart.

Remy Cabella crossed from the right and skipper Sissoko

ON TARGET: Sissoko swept the ball past the helpless David Ospina to reduce the deficit.

Ayoze Perez twice fired wide from long distance as Arsenal wobbled.

Ospina had to be at his best to beat away Williamson’s header from a Taylor corner, and Janmaat blasted a long- range effort just wide seconds later.

Referee Mike Jones waved away strong appeals for an 82nd- minute penalty after Cabella went down under Laurent Koscielny’s challenge.

And Ospina had to make a fine reaction save to keep out Perez’s deflected 87th- minute shot with his leg as Newcastle battled all the way to the final whistle. OL OF A STRIKE: Olivier Giroud salutes his opener