Arsenal 3-1 Stoke

THE SATURDAY PREMIER LEAGUE: Arsenal 3-1 Stoke; Burnley 3-2 Bournemouth; Hull 3-3 Crystal Palace; Swansea 3-0 Sunderland; Watford 3-2 Everton

Arsenal have risen to the top of the Premier League table after recording a 3-1 win over Stoke City in Saturday afternoon's clash at the Emirates Stadium.


Charlie Adam sent Stoke ahead from the penalty spot in the 29th minute, but Theo Walcott levelled three minutes before the interval before Mesut Ozil and Alex Iwobi struck in the second period to make it 13 games unbeaten for the Gunners, who have moved above Chelsea on goal difference.

It was Stoke that had the game's first shot on target in the fourth minute when Marc Muniesa unleashed a stunning volley from all of 40 yards, but Petr Cech was on hand to make a smart save.

The Potters had another half chance less than two minutes later when Marko Arnautovic , who was selected in the centre-forward position, drove down the right before finding Xherdan Shaqiri in space, but the Swiss international just took one touch too many and Gunners right back Gabriel Paulista closed the angle.

After a couple of early half-chances, Arsenal's first clear opportunity arrived in the 12th minute when Walcott drove into the Stoke box before looking to pick out the bottom corner, but Lee Grant got down well to make the save.

The visitors had a golden chance to make the breakthrough in the 23rd minute when Arnautovic collected a long ball before finding Joe Allen inside the Arsenal box, but the Welshman fired wide of the post under little pressure as the Gunners escaped another dangerous moment.

Arsenal did not escape seven minutes later, however, as Adam sent Stoke ahead from the penalty spot after Granit Xhaka had elbowed Allen to the ground inside the home side's box.

Arsene Wenger did not agree with the referee's decision despite the contact from Xhaka and the Frenchman appeared to place two hands on the fourth official during a heated discussion, which could bring retrospective action from the Football Association.

Arsenal had a brilliant chance to level in the 36th minute when Hector Bellerin , who made his return as a first half substitute, delivered a low cross towards Alexis Sanchez , but Mame Biram Diouf was on hand to make a last-ditch challenge.

Wenger's side were indeed level in the 42nd minute, however, when Bellerin drove down the right before picking out a low cross towards the near post, where Walcott was waiting to poke the ball past Grant from close range.

Sanchez and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain had half-chances for the home side in the final stages of the first period as Stoke retreated, but both saw their efforts drift over the crossbar as an open and entertaining first 45 minutes finished all square.

Arsenal were ahead early in the second period, however, when Oxlade Chamberlain delivered a terrific cross onto the head of Ozil, who looped his effort over Grant as Stoke's advantage evaporated.

The pressure continued from the Gunners as they looked to score what could have been a decisive third goal and Xhaka just missed the post with a long range effort in the 57th minute during a difficult period for Mark Hughes 's side.

Oxlade Chamberlain also came close with a powerful strike just before the hour, but Grant was on hand to make a smart save as Stoke just looked to stay in touch with the league's in-form side.

Stoke had two half chances to equalise 25 minutes from time, but Arnautovic missed the target with a long range strike, before Diouf failed to make the most of a free header inside the Arsenal box, with the striker seemingly looking for a teammate despite being central and without a defender in sight.

Seconds after entering the field, Peter Crouch came close for Stoke after meeting a corner at the far post, but Cech got down to make a smart save during what was a difficult spell for the home side.

Arsenal made sure of the points 15 minutes from time, however, when Iwobi found the bottom corner from inside the box after suspect defending from the away side, who were short of numbers at the back following an attack down the other end.

Walcott might have added to the home side's advantage late on, but Grant was on hand to make a smart save as it remained 3-1 on the afternoon. Next up for Arsenal is a trip to Everton on Tuesday night, while Stoke will attempt to return to winning ways when they host Southampton one day later.

Scorers [Walcott 42', Ozil 49', Iwobi 75'] [Adam 29' penalty]

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