Arsene Wenger praises Arsenal spirit after 1-0 win at Newcastle

Arsene Wenger felt Arsenal's spirit got them through after a 1-0 win at Newcastle United secured top spot at the end of 2013.

Olivier Giroud headed the only goal of a tight game at St James' Park on 65 minutes, as Arsenal followed up a win at West Ham on Boxing Day with another three points on their travels.

Chances were scarce for both teams and Wenger acknowledged his team retreated slightly after Giroud's goal had given his side the lead.

"We had to dig deep today," the Arsenal manager told Sky Sports.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew frustrated after 1-0 defeat by Arsenal

Alan Pardew felt Newcastle did not get the breaks following the 1-0 home defeat by Arsenal and should have been awarded a free-kick before Olivier Giroud scored.

Giroud headed home the only goal of the game on 65 minutes when the French striker got on the end of Theo Walcott's chipped free-kick.

The set-piece was awarded after Cheick Tiote had fouled Santi Cazorla, however, Pardew believes referee Lee Probert should have given his side a free-kick.

Wenger hails 'amazing' Ozil after Napoli win

The German scored his first goal in Arsenal colours before setting up Olivier Giroud as an early Gunners surge saw of the Italians with surprising ease.

Arsene Wenger heaped praise on Mesut Ozil's all-action display in Arsenal's 2-0 Champions League victory over Napoli.

The Germany international midfielder scored his first goal for the club since his deadline-day move from Real Madrid when he side-footed home superbly from Aaron Ramsey's cross with just eight minutes gone.

Benitez rues slow start against Arsenal

Goals from Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud saw the Gunners sweep aside their Serie A opponents inside the first 15 minutes to take control of Group F.

Rafa Benitez bemoaned Napoli's poor start in their 2-0 Champions League defeat to Arsenal on Tuesday night.

The Serie A outfit were two goals down after just 15 minutes of the Group F encounter at the Emirates Stadium, as the Spaniard was consigned to a first professional loss as Partenopei coach.

Arsenal maintain momentum with victory over Napoli

Mesut Ozil scored one and made the other as Arsenal outclassed Napoli to claim a 2-0 win in the UEFA Champions League.

The German playmaker netted his first goal for the Gunners just eight minutes into what looked like being a tricky continental hurdle for Arsene Wenger's side to overcome, but ended up being one cleared with consummate ease.

Ozil was picked out on the edge of the box by Aaron Ramsey and crashed a stunning half-volley into the back of the net past a helpless Pepe Reina.

Bendtner back in a Arsenal shirt this weekend according to Danish media

According to reports in Denmark Arsenal outcast Nicklas Bendtner is likely to be brought back into the squad for the club’s visit to Sunderland on Saturday. Due to recent injuries to key players manager Arsene Wenger could be forced to include the Danish international in the squad with the possibility of him starting the game on the bench.

Danish newspaper BT have reported from close sources in England that Wenger could open the door to the forward and include him as one of his substitutes at the weekend. 

Arsenal are currently down to one recognised first team striker in Olivier Giroud after recent injuries to other players.

Patrick Vieira sticks up for Arsenal forward in France, after criticism comes his way

Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira has defended Olivier Giroud after he came under fire from the French media over the weekend. The press have questioned the Arsenal forward's partnership with Karim Benzema after France failed to score against Georgia in their World Cup qualifier on Friday night.

Le10 Sport have reported that the former Arsenal midfielder believes the two are the best strikers that France have and therefore the partnership doesn't need breaking up. With the lack of depth in forwards available to manager Didier Deschamps there are currently no likely candidates to step in to replace both Giroud and Benzema.

Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud juggles a ball while sitting on the floor in France training

The official YouTube channel of the Fédération Française de Football have uploaded a quality clip of Olivier Giroud showing off his skills at training.

The Arsenal centre forward was filmed messing about in aFrance training session as he juggled a ball with his left foot and his head whilst sitting on the floor throughout.

Giroud’s skills didn’t falter, and the Arsenal attacker completed with keepy-uppy session without blemish.

Giroud wasn’t alone in showing off fancy footwork at France training as Paul Pogba also showed off a array of skills when he was mucking about with a football.

Watch Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud juggle a ball while sitting on the floor below, together with Paul Pogba’s skills.

                       
                          


                          

No miracle cure for France profligacy, says Deschamps

Les Bleus made it five games in a row without scoring with a 0-0 draw against Georgia on Friday and their boss has urged his side to focus on securing second place in the group

Didier Deschamps admits there is no "miracle cure" for France's continued problems in attack following their 0-0 draw with Georgia in Friday's World Cup qualifier.

Les Bleus failed to break down a resilient home side to leave them without a goal in their last five matches, while Karim Benzema's barren spell for the national team has extended to more than 20 hours after another dismal display alongside Olivier Giroud.

Walcott backs Sanogo to shine for Arsenal

The France youth international is Arsene Wenger's only signing so far this summer and the forward is impressed by his new team-mate's early promise at the Emirates Stadium

Theo Walcott has spoken highly of new team-mate Yaya Sanogo's debut despite Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Galatasaray on Sunday.

The France youth international is the Gunners' only signing so far this summer and played an hour in the pre-season Emirates Cup match before being replaced by Olivier Giroud.