Olivier Giroud Stokes Arsenal as Emirates Stands in Support of Arsene Wenger

Olivier Giroud must relish playing Newcastle United. The Frenchman now has six goals in five appearances against Alan Pardew’s side. His two strikes at the Emirates Stadium were the standout moments of an excellent Gunners performance that had the Emirates Stadium singing Arsene Wenger’s name in support.

Last weekend at Stoke City, Giroud was vilified for missing a great headed chance with the score at 1-0. When a similar opportunity came up against Newcastle, he made no such mistake.

Hector Bellerin, who produced an energetic display from right full-back, started the move that led to the opening goal with a well-timed challenge on the halfway line. He then gave the ball to Giroud, who spread the play to Alexis Sanchez on the right wing. His cross hung temptingly in the air, and Giroud leapt highest to meet it and nod the ball powerfully beyond the goalkeeper.

Arsenal might have had a bigger lead at half-time. In the game’s early minutes, Per Mertesacker headed against the underside of the bar. Danny Welbeck had a goal ruled out for a foul on Daryl Janmaat, and the Gunners saw two penalty claims waved away by Lee Mason. 

However, it wasn’t all one-way traffic. Newcastle had a strong penalty shout of their own turned down, and Wojciech Szczesny had to produce a good double-save to deny Mike Williamson and Papiss Cisse in quick succession.

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However, in the second half, Arsenal began to make their dominance tell. Santi Cazorla clipped home a second, before Giroud added a beautiful third.

In the past, Giroud has been a victim of stereotyping. Because he’s powerfully built and good in the air, he is sometimes decried as an old-fashioned target man. However, he has more imagination and flair in his game than you typically find in such players.

That much was evident in that special second goal, when he turned a Bellerin cross in to the top corner with an impudent near-post flick. The way he used the outside of his boot to divert the ball home was reminiscent of some of the outrageous finishes of Eduardo da Silva in his pomp.

This was one of several beautiful moves that Arsenal produced in the course of the game. There is a definite irony that an Arsenal team missing a dozen players through injury and suspension put together what was arguably their most cohesive performance of the season.

Key to the quality of Arsenal’s attacking play was their front trio of Alexis, Welbeck and Giroud. As you’d imagine, the Frenchman tended to play at the point of the attack. However, he also demonstrated a willingness to work the channels when required, allowing Alexis and Welbeck to take turns through the middle. That’s a new side to Giroud’s game, and one that adds an element of unpredictability to the Arsenal attack.

He did not get a chance to grab a hat-trick. With the game seemingly sewn up, Wenger replaced him with Lukas Podolski.

In some ways, his withdrawal was a compliment: Wenger clearly recognises that the Gunners can ill afford to lose Giroud for a prolonged spell again.

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A second 4-1 win in a matter of days had the Arsenal fans bellowing “One Arsene Wenger” in support of their manager. It seems the supporters were keen to show that the actions of a few on a train station platform in Stoke do not represent the view of the majority.

Against Newcastle, Wenger, Giroud and Arsenal undoubtedly deserved their accolades.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout the 2014-15 season. Follow him on Twitter here.