Giroud sizzles for Arsenal

Giroud netted with a breath-taking improvised strike reminiscent of Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s recent goal for Manchester United and Alex Iwobi was also on target at the Emirates Stadium. It left Arsenal nine points below leaders Chelsea and they were joined in the top four by Tottenham Hotspur, who replaced Manchester City in the Champions League places after winning 4-1 at Watford. 

Arsenal, who were without the ill Mesut Ozil, finish the weekend three points below second-place Liverpool, with north London rivals Spurs a point back, above City on goal difference. 

Giroud squandered an early chance but he atoned in memorable fashion in the 17th minute. Hector Bellerin played the ball forward to Giroud and his clever back-heel found Granit Xhaka, who helped the ball on to Iwobi, who slipped it wide to Alexis Sanchez on the left. 

Sanchez’s cross was slightly behind Giroud, but he adjusted brilliantly to hook the ball forward with his left heel, sending it sailing over Wayne Hennessey. Nigerian forward Iwobi doubled Arsenal’s lead in the 56th minute, heading in after Scott Dann’s attempt to block Monreal’s cross sent the ball spinning into the air.