Arsenal 2 Southampton 0: Giroud dedicates goals to grandfather

Olivier Giroud dedicated his match-winning brace against Southampton to his late grandfather after firing Arsenal to victory over the Saints.

Saints goalkeeper Artur Boruc gifted the French striker the opener in the 22nd minute after he was caught dwelling on a back-pass for too long and allowed Giroud to tap home.

And Giroud put the game beyond the visitors when he fired home a penalty in the 86th minute after Jose Fonte was penalised for pulling Per Mertesacker’s shirt.

“Two days before [the match] I lost my grandfather so I’m really motivated to dedicate these goals to him and I hope he is proud of me in the sky,” said Giroud, whose goals helped Arsenal move four points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

The striker, who notched up his 10th goal of the season at Emirates Stadium, continued: “They [Southampton] have improved themselves [since losing 6-1 at Emirates Stadium last season]. That’s why they are third in the table.

“We really wanted to play the game from the start and really respected this team. We were a bit lucky on the first goal, but I think that really helped us for the rest of the game.

“I didn’t give up on my duel with the keeper. Usually I used to go too quickly and he could dribble me, but this time I stand on my legs and was a bit lucky, took ball and scored. It’s nice for the team.”