Giroud guns down Spurs

Olivier Giroud fired Arsenal to a hard-earned win as big-spending
Tottenham’s summer investment brought no reward in the north London
derby.
At the Emirates Stadium, there was cause for concern for England boss,
Roy Hodgson, ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and
Ukraine, as midfielder Jack Wilshere hobbled off before half-time.
Arsenal, having so far brought in only two free transfers, earned the
bragging rights after Giroud tucked home his fourth goal in five
appearances to settle an entertaining, but also heated, contest.
There was a bright start by the hosts, and Santi Cazorla forced a fine
early save from Hugo Lloris with a 20-yard curling free-kick.
The Spaniard then had another go from a more central position after
Theo Walcott was upended by Mousa Dembele, and this time his low
effort went under the wall, bobbling just wide.
Spurs settled and Roberto Soldado, the £26 million striker signed from
Valencia, had a close-range shot blocked by Per Mertesacker.
Arsenal, though, swept into the lead after 23 minutes, with a swift
counter from Aaron Ramsey and Tomas Rosicky seeing the ball played out
to Theo Walcott down the right.
Arsenal were forced into a change just before half-time, when
midfielder Wilshere signalled he was unable to continue and hobbled
off, to be replaced by Mathieu Flamini, the former Gunner rejoining
his old club on a free earlier this week.
Spurs made a lively start to the second half, forcing a couple of
corners from which they failed to really test the Arsenal defence.
Flamini, released by AC Milan at the end of last season, was cautioned
for a sliding challenge on Danny Rose. Nacer Chadli’s free-kick,
though, flew high into the Clock End.
There was a stoppage as Tottenham midfielder Etienne Capoue – signed
from Toulouse in a £9 million deal – needed treatment after badly
twisting his ankle in a tackle with Cazorla, and had to be carried off
on a stretcher.
Spurs continued to push Arsenal back, during five minutes of stoppage
time, but Wenger’s men remained resilient – and jubilant chants of
‘What a waste of money’ from the home fans followed the final whistle.