Half-Time Report: Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud put Arsenal in command

In the battle to close the gap on Premier League leaders Leicester City, Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud have given Arsenal a 2-0 half-time lead over Manchester City.

The hosting Gunners went into the encounter five points adrift of the table-topping Foxes, but Walcott's 13th goal in his last 17 league starts and a low strike from Giroud have given them the platform to bridge some of that advantage.

Walcott's strike, which came in the 33rd minute, was actually the first meaningful effort Arsenal were able to muster on goal.

However, they almost fell behind just 60 seconds later when the returning Sergio Aguero released Kevin De Bruyne down the right flank with a deft flick. The Belgian had David Silva unmarked in the middle, but he went for goal himself, only to see his effort skid wide of the far post.

There were no such problems with Walcott's radar, though. Laurent Koscielny fizzed a pass into the feet of Mesut Ozil, who in turn fed Walcott inside the City penalty area. Having cut back inside, Arsenal's number 14 then unleashed a curling effort that left Hart in the away side's goal no chance.

Aaron Ramsey had an opportunity to make it 2-0 three minutes later when Koscielny flicked the ball towards the Welshman at the back post. However, he was unable to make a decent connection and the danger was cleared.

Arsene Wenger's men were able to double their lead in the first minute of stoppage time. City centre-back Eliaquim Mangala gave away possession and when the ball was eventually worked to Giroud, he drilled the ball underneath Hart.