Olivier Giroud believes Arsenal's game at Newcastle on Sunday will be one of the biggest tests they face this season.
The Magpies are unbeaten in their last four games and sit just three points off fourth place in the Premier League after trashing Stoke City 5-1 on Boxing Day.
Newcastle have 10 French players in their squad and Giroud is looking forward to facing a number of his international team-mates.
"We are really confident but Newcastle is a really good team so it will be a tough game"
Olivier Giroud
"It's normally Arsenal where you could find a lot of French guys," Giroud said. "It's now Newcastle but I think we have to be cautious with this team because they are on a good run and they did really well in their last game.
"It will be a great feeling to see them and I think we have a good chance to win this game but we really want to finish first. We are really confident but Newcastle is a really good team so it will be a tough game."
Giroud came on as a late substitute in Arsenal's nerve-jangling final-day win at St. James' Park which secured a top-four finish. The French striker admits he found it hard to watch from the sidelines.
"I couldn't stay sitting down," he said. "Laurent [Koscielny] relieved us and he did really well. After it was like a true celebration, a true relief and we were really happy to reach the Champions League. It was a good memory but it's always a tough game when you play at St. James' Park so we look forward for this game.”
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