Arsenal closed in on another shot at Champions League qualification with a 3-0 victory over Newcastle to inflict a sixth straight defeat on Alan Pardew.
The Gunners are now four points ahead of Everton in the race to secure a top-four finish, with just two matches remaining, as club-record signing Mesut Ozil delivered an inspired display, scoring one and creating another.
Newcastle, though, continue their slide down the Premier League following another lacklustre display - which left the 2,000-strong travelling support venting
their anger on Pardew, whose long-term future is in doubt, despite returning to the touchline after his seven-game ban for headbutting Hull's David Meyler.
Arsenal showed the greater intent during the opening stages, with an angled drive from Ozil bouncing just wide before Laurent Koscielny stabbed in a deep free- kick from Santi Cazorla on 26 minutes.
Newcastle briefly rallied, with Moussa Sissoko bursting clear on 20 minutes only to send a poor chipped effort horribly wide.
But the visitors were soon chasing the game again and fell further behind three minutes before half-time when Giroud timed his run to beat a high Newcastle offside trap to race into the penalty area.
Tim Krul was out quickly and twice made a good save, before the ball bobbled out to Ozil at the far post, who gratefully tapped it in.
The visitors had a great chance to reduce the arrears just before the hour when Yoan Gouffran sprinted clear, but Wojciech Szczesny was out quickly to save.
Arsenal moved 3-0 ahead on 66 minutes. Again Ozil was the architect, collecting a pass from Ramsey to ghost down the left
side and chip over the perfect cross for Giroud to head home his 15th league goal of the season.
The Newcastle fans again turned their anger on Pardew, whose relationship with the Toon Army may well have now reached
tipping point - many holding banners against the man who not so long ago had taken the club into a fifth place finish and Europa League.
Arsenal, though, look all set to finish in the Champions League places again as they chase a place at Europe's top table for a remarkable 17 straight campaigns ahead of their FA Cup final date with Hull at Wembley.
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