STOKE CITY vs ARSENAL MATCH REPORT Arsenals winning run came to an end on Saturday as a forgettable first half cost them all three points at Stoke. The Gunners made the worse possible start, conceding a goal to Peter Crouch after just 19 seconds. The influential Bojan scored the second with a deft finish from Jon Walters cross, and Walters himself lashed in the third just before the break. The visitors roused themselves after half-time and should have reduced the arrears when Alexis Sanchez waltzed through to plant a shot against a post. Santi Cazorla converted a penalty to give the Gunners a fighting chance after Mathieu Flamini was brought down, and a stunning volley from Aaron Ramsey gave them renewed hope. Arsenal played the last 11 minutes with 10 men after Calum Chambers received a second yellow card, and despite a valiant effort their comeback quest fell short. The Gunners had restored pride but, ultimately, their failure to handle Stokes front men cost them the points. SETTING THE SCENE Arsenals travails at the Britannia Stadium are well-documented - they went into this fixture with just one win in eight visits since the Potters returned to the top flight. But the form book favoured the Gunners after three straight wins and three clean sheets in all competitions. Two of those morale-boosting shut-outs were thanks in part to the return of Laurent Koscielny but his troublesome Achilles was not risked for a third game in a week, so Hector Bellerin was drafted in at right back with Chambers shuffling inside to partner Per Mertesacker. There were two other changes: Danny Welbeck made way for Olivier Giroud and the injured Nacho Monreal was replaced by Kieran Gibbs, making his 100th Premier League appearance. Young prospects Semi Ajayi and Ainsley Maitland-Niles were among the substitutes and Wojciech Szczesny joined them on the bench with Emiliano Martinez retained in goal. FIRST HALF Arsenal made the worst possible start. Crouchs first header of the match found Steven Nzonzi on the right and his cross caused consternation in the Gunners box. Chambers missed his header, Bellerin went to ground, Martinez was caught off balance and the ball rolled kindly for Crouch, who rolled it in. A mere 19 seconds were on the clock. The visitors were shocked but they regrouped quickly and started to find some rhythm. Alexis looked their most likely source of inspiration in what appeared to be a free role in behind Giroud. Two promising moves lacked a decent final ball but Arsenal did find one after 11 minutes - and should have scored. Bellerin was at full stretch to stand up a cross to the far post and Giroud headed wide with the goal gaping. Crouch was a constant menace at the other end and he had the perfect supply line - Bojan. The former Barcelona playmaker, drifting left and right to find space, curled in one cross that Crouch directed just wide. Martinez spilled a speculative effort from Phil Bardsley and Cazorla arrowed a shot just over the bar in what was an open encounter - and far less attritional than the usual meetings between these sides. Both defences looked vulnerable but it was Stoke who had a cutting edge and they doubled their lead 10 minutes before half-time. This time Walters found room for a cross on the right and Bojan darted between defenders to apply a cultured finish. Girouds deflected header forced Asmir Begovic to tip over but things went from bad to worse for Arsenal just before the break. Crouch was first to another corner, his header down fell nicely for Walters and he lashed a shot into the roof of the net. SECOND HALF Wenger replaced Bellerin with Welbeck at half-time with Flamini going to right back and Oxlade-Chamberlain moving inside to partner Ramsey in central midfield. It worked. Suddenly Stokes back four had much more to think about and Arsenal so nearly clawed a goal back after 57 minutes when Alexis waltzed past Ryan Shawcross and Begovic only to shoot against the post from a narrow angle. The game seemed to be up for the Gunners when Bojan beat Martinez with a low shot, but the goal was ruled out for an offside against Diouf, who was obstructing the Arsenal keepers view. It proved to be a turning point. In the 67th minute Flamini burst into the box and was impeded by Diouf; Cazorla stroked home the penalty low to Begovics right. The comeback was on and Arsenal found a second three minutes later, Ramsey demonstrating perfect technique to volley Alexis corner past Begovic. Stoke were nervous and the omens were good for the Gunners - no Premier League side has scored more goals in the last five minutes this season. But with 11 minutes to go their task became more onerous when Chambers received a second yellow card - perhaps harshly - for a foul on Bojan. Arsenal persevered, throwing everything forward in a desperate attempt to find an equaliser. But Stoke rode out the storm
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 11:25:23 +0000
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