Olivier Giroud scored his first goal in over 500 minutes of football to give Arsenal a 1-0 win and ensure the Gunners go into the new year in top spot.

The Frenchman got the faintest of touches on a Theo Walcott free kick in the second half and despite heavy Newcastle pressure throughout the second half it was to prove enough. The goal inflicted just the second defeat on Newcastle since November 2 and gave Arsenal a second successive win that will help to further shrink the memory of that 6-3 drubbing against title rivals Manchester City on December 14.

The goal was the first significant contribution Giroud had made to the game, a first half booking aside. The striker’s goal drought looked set to continue until Tiote conceded a free kick 35 yards from the Newcastle goal, which Walcott then lofted into GIroud’s path.

The win puts Arsenal top of the table, one point ahead of Manchester City, while Newcastle remain in seventh.