Giroud Sparkles As Arsenal Stretch Their Lead At The Top - Statistics

Arsenal have done it again. Their 2-0 victory over third place Southampton has kept them top of the Premier League and with it they gained another clean sheet - a good day all round for Arsene Wenger's men. There was a leading light, though, and that was Frenchman Olivier Giroud.

The forward had scored five league goals in 11 games going into the clash with the Hampshire side and an impressive performance saw him snatch another two to add to his tally. The first was a close range finish and the second came from the spot, but it wasn't only his goals that sparkled at the Emirates this afternoon.

He epitomises everything that a target man should be. He won 5/6 of his headed duels and even chipped in with four clearances, while his movement was brilliant. Although he struggled with his take ons - he lost out on all three attempts - he made an interception and completed 28 passes during the game.

Southampton were actually the busier in front of goal as they had 14 shots to Arsenal's 12, but the accuracy was missing for the South Coast side.

Giroud's performance will have given Wenger a huge boost as he suggested that he was under no pressure to sign another frontman in January, and also the Gunners fans as they now sit four points clear at the top.

stats via Squawka