London: Olivier Giroud has assured Arsenal fans that Arsene Wenger is still a &ldquo;great manager&rdquo; and told them not to forget everything the Frenchman has done for the club.
<img title="Olivier Giroud" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2014/dec/O-Giroud1312.jpg" alt="Olivier Giroud" /> Olivier Giroud
Wenger was subjected to severe verbal abuse from his own supporters following his side&rsquo;s 2-3 loss at Stoke last weekend, a result that leaves Arsenal 13 points behind English Premier League leaders Chelsea.
&lsquo;Arsene not to blame&rsquo; &ldquo;I understand the fans because when you are a team like Arsenal, the fans want you to win every single game, especially when they follow you to away games,&rdquo; Giroud said.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s always like that when you suffer a defeat, I understand the fans are really disappointed but we are very disappointed as well. It is not the manager (who is to blame). He is a great manager. Just because we lost at Stoke in an away game does not mean the season is finished or that everything is over.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;There is no other coach who knows Arsenal better than him so I am in no doubt he is the man to solve this situation.&rdquo;
Wenger&rsquo;s side will be eager to steer their domestic campaign back on course when they host a rejuvenated Newcastle side today.
The Magpies inflicted a first defeat of the campaign on Chelsea last weekend and one defeat in nine has drawn Alan Pardew&rsquo;s side level on points with Arsenal.
&ldquo;We need to bounce back,&rdquo; said Giroud. &ldquo;We know our quality and we know what we can do. We will show our strength of character against Newcastle at home. It will be a tough game, Newcastle have had a good start. They are a great team and we need a win at the Emirates to gain some good momentum.
Giroud does not accept that Champions League qualification is the best the Gunners can hope for in May.
&ldquo;We are still 13 points behind Chelsea,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We are going to take games one by one and focus on ourselves. If we don&rsquo;t lose, we don&rsquo;t have to look at Chelsea&rsquo;s results.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;We just need some momentum, some more wins and to get our confidence back,&rdquo; he added.
4: Arsenal&rsquo;s French striker Olivier Giroud has netted four goals in four Premier League appearances against Newcastle United
Live today: . Leicester City vs Man City: Star Sports 4, 20:30 . Chelsea vs Hull City: Star Sports HD 1, 20:30 . Arsenal vs Newcastle: Star Sports 4, Star Sports HD 1, 23:00
Fans can also catch Man City and Chelsea&rsquo;s matches live today on 380-sq-ft screens at BKC&rsquo;s MMRDA Grounds for free

Arsenal striker believes his side can put their dithering EPL campaign back on track with a win against Newcastle tonight

We will show strength of character: Giroud

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We will show strength of character: Giroud

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