Olivier Giroud Continues Fine Form as Arsenal Survive at Newcastle United

When Newcastle scored at the start of the second half, Arsenal fans must have feared the worst.

The Gunners might well have held a two-goal lead, but there is precedent for dramatic comebacks in this fixture: In 2011, the Magpies came from four goals down to draw, 4-4.

However, the fears of Arsenal fans did not come to fruition, as their tired team managed to hold on to the lead established by two goals from Olivier Giroud.

The Frenchman is performing outstandingly well at present. In the Premier League, only Harry Kane can rival his rich vein of form. This brace took his recent record to nine goals in his last nine games across all competitions.

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This season, he has developed a prolific streak, and both goals at St. James’ Park were typical poachers’ efforts. The first saw him divert a Danny Welbeck header beyond Tim Krul, while on the second, he outmuscled Mike Williamson to nod home a Santi Cazorla corner.

His tally for the season now stands at 17.

That’s as many as he scored in the entirety of his first season in English football. Given that he missed September, October and most of November with a broken leg, it’s a remarkable record. Only four players have scored more Premier League goals this season, and they've all played considerably more games.

Ben Bloom of The Telegraph argues that Giroud deserves more respect from Arsenal supporters:

"Where strikers like Sergio Aguero, Diego Costa and Harry Kane are worshipped by their own fans, Giroud is accepted and at most appreciated by the Emirates regulars. Surely it is now time they begin to show some love for their French forward. Two goals at St James's Park mean he now has eight in his last nine Premier League games for the Gunners. He was also arguably the standout man in the 2-0 win in Monaco this week. Any problems Arsenal may have are not down to Giroud who seems to only be going from strength to strength."

Speaking to Arsenal's official website, Arsene Wenger summarised Giroud’s contribution succinctly: “He scores the goals, fights hard and keeps the ball up front. He had a good game again today.”

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He might have had an assist to his name, too. A typically intelligent flick played in Aaron Ramsey, but the Welshman’s finish went astray.

Ramsey was not alone in his first-half wastefulness: Welbeck also passed up a couple of glaring opportunities to extend Arsenal’s lead. Had the Gunners gotten the goals their early dominance deserved, they might have avoided the torturous finale that saw them clinging on for the win.

Fatigue was undoubtedly a factor.

Arsenal had endured an exhausting evening in Monaco earlier in the week, and as the second half wore on, Wenger’s men looked increasingly weary. The likes of Cazorla, typically so industrious, couldn’t get close to a revitalised Newcastle.

However, Arsenal were plainly determined not to repeat the collapse of 2011.

Francis Coquelin fought hard to give the Gunners a foothold in midfield, while Gabriel Paulista coped well in unfamiliar surroundings. Behind them, David Ospina made a pair of vital saves to justify his status as the team’s new No. 1.

Arsenal overcame their exhaustion to take home a big three points. With Manchester United and Liverpool due to play each other this weekend, Wenger’s men know at least one of their rivals for a top-four place will be dropping points. The Gunners are now firmly in the driver's seat in the race for Champions League football.

For that, they have the newly prolific Giroud to thank. 

 

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.