[Videos] HT: Walcott & Giroud punish Man City with beautiful goals

Theo Walcott grabbed the opening goal against Manchester City this Monday evening, and what a goal it was. Mesut Özil provided yet another assist, but the goal itself was all about the magic of Walcott. Olivier Giroud then doubled our lead right before the half time whistle, making Arsene Wenger’s half time talk that much easier.

It had been a tactical start to the first half at the Emirates, with Manchester City probing and creating a few half chances. We were threatening ourselves, but as yet had created nothing of real note.

Just after the half hour mark we broke the deadlock though, with Walcott producing a moment of real class. He picked the ball up from Mesut Özil – although whether the ball was intended for him is questionable – cutting inside and lashing a shot into the far corner from quite some distance.

The game continued much as it had done before the goal, although City were arguably a little more adventurous. They were clearly hoping to go into the break level, but instead we punished them yet again.

Moments before the half time whistle Özil received the ball again, and as he turned you could see runs ahead of him. He played Giroud through on goal, although the angle looked too tight for him to score. The Frenchman clearly didn’t agree though, and he smashed it between the legs of Joe Hart and into the back of the net.

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Hopefully there’s more of the same in the second half, and we open a gap up on Manchester City ahead of a busy Christmas fixture list. We’ve obviously still got to catch Leicester City at the top of the table, but you have to believe that City are our closest title rivals this season.