Olivier Giroud scored twice in four minutes to give Arsenal a 2-0 lead over Newcastle United at St James' Park in the Premier League this afternoon.

Alexis Sanchez had the first chance of the afternoon for the visitors as he tried to turn the ball in at the far post, but Ryan Taylor was back to make the block.

Arsenal continued to look the more likely, and they broke the deadlock just over halfway through the opening period when Danny Welbeck flicked the ball on for Giroud, who bundled it past Tim Krul.

The Frenchman had the ball in the back of the net again just four minutes later as Santi Cazorla curled the ball in from a corner, setting up Giroud to head it in after he lost Mike Williamson.

Newcastle started to see a bit more of the ball as half time approached, but Sammy Ameobi and Taylor both had half-chances go astray.