Arsenal lead Fulham 2-0 at half time in today's early Premier League fixture.

Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud got the goals for the visitors at either end of a relatively close 45 minutes.

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After an even start, Arsenal created the game's first real chance, but Podolski's effort was deflected wide.

Moments later Theo Walcott was denied by David Stockdale's outstretched arm before Giroud had a header cleared off the line.

The Frenchman was not to be denied for long though, collecting a rebound in the middle of the box before poking the ball past the goalkeeper after 13 minutes.

A double save from Wojciech Sczczesny then denied Fulham an instant equaliser, first from John Arne Riise and then Damien Duff.

The hosts began to see more of the ball as the half went on, with Adel Taarabt and Dimitar Berbatov getting more and more involved, but then went two behind five minutes before the break.

Walcott found space in the box but saw his shot blocked by Stockdale, only for Podolski to smash the ball in from the edge of the box.

The Gunners could have increased their lead further, but no one was on-hand to tap in Podolski's drilled cross on the stroke on half time.