Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski react to Arsenal defeat

Olivier Giroud has called on Arsenal fans to stick with the team following their shock 3-1 loss to Aston Villa on Saturday.

The Frenchman netted the opener in the sixth minute at Emirates Stadium but a double from Christian Benteke and a goal from Villa debutant Antonio Luna condemned the north Londoners to defeat.

Arsenal fans made their discontent at the club’s lack of spending in the summer transfer market known with boos and jeers at the final whistle of their Premier League opener.

But Giroud has called on the supporters to rally behind the team as they prepare for their Champions League play-off first leg at Fenerbahce on Wednesday.

“So frustrated after a good start,” Giroud wrote on his Instagram account. “Too many things [went] against us yesterday.

“However I trust in our qualities and [we] want to keep our heads up for Wednesday. We need you!”

Lukas Podolski, meanwhile, urged the Gunners to forget about Saturday’s “poor” display in north London and focus on Wednesday’s crunch clash.

Podolski said: “Yesterday it was a sad afternoon for AFC. Nevertheless, we need to think positive and win on Wednesday, forget Saturday’s poor performance.”