Olivier Giroud has given Arsenal a 1-0 lead over Newcastle United at half time of their Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium this evening.

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The hosts had a chance to open the scoring inside the first 10 minutes when Santi Cazorla flicked the ball on towards Per Mertesacker, but the German defender's header came back off the crossbar.

It did not take the Gunners much longer to open the scoring as they capitalised on a wayward pass from Fabricio Coloccini, which allowed Alexis Sanchez to set up Olivier Giroud to head into the top corner.

Danny Welbeck thought that he had added a second just two minutes later, but his finish was chalked off as referee Lee Mason decided that he had fouled Daryl Janmaat in the build up.

Welbeck came close again shortly after the half-hour mark when he collected a chip into the box, but his volley was marginally wide of the post.

Newcastle started to create more towards the end of the half, but Yoan Gouffran headed straight at the keeper, before Papiss Cisse was also denied from the rebound.