Arsenal v Stoke City | Matches

Manchester United V
Arsenal
16TH MAY 2009

Sunday 24th May
Kick off: 16:00
Emirates Stadium

Arsenal
4 – 1
Stoke City

Barnet V
Arsenal
18TH JUL 2009

HIGHLIGHTS

CLASSIC WATCH NOW
Arsenal 4-1 Stoke City (May 24, 2009)

Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.

Full Time Full time: Arsenal 4-1 Stoke - So the curtain falls on this season in superb fashion for the Gunners. Van Persie's wonderful first-half brace set the tone and Stoke were never really able to get close. Thanks for joining us this afternoon, have a great summer and we'll see you in August!
90

Two minutes of added time shown as "Only one Arsene Wenger" rings round the stadium.
90

In other news - Newcastle United are relegated. That certainly sounds strange.
90

Vela almost finishes this one with a flourish but drives straight at Sorensen after his mazy run.
88

This clash has rather fizzled out - only a couple of minutes left of the season.
85

Compared to that dynamic first half, this second period has been a bit dull! Still Arsenal dominate.
83

Gibbs breaks into the area but lashes his effort well over the crossbar.
80

And it continues - Arsenal are camped in Stoke's half looking for the 'perfect goal' with near enough 1 million passes in or around the area. Shoot!
77

I'm struggling to remember the last time a yellow-shirted fellow had a touch. The Gunners are playing keep-ball.
74

Bendtner has a crack from the edge of the box but it's well wide.
73

Despite trailing by 4 goals to 1 - the Stoke fans are in fine voice. 'Why, why, why Delilah' rings round Emirates Stadium.
71

Substitution The manager makes his final substitution of the season. Arshavin trudges off for Carlos Vela.
70

Eboue whips in a searching cross to the front post. Diaby meets it with a firm header but it drifts just past the far post.
68

Substitution Another change for the visitors. Goalscorer Fuller makes way for Richard Cresswell.
68

Denilson goes for goal from 25 yards but Faye throws himself in the way of the drive. A wonderful block from the captain but he's injured himself in the process.
66

Just a reminder, Dan and Davo want to hear all your favourite moments of the season - let us know on www.arsenal.com/studio
66

Eboue latches on to a cute pass from Arshavin but watches his angled effort flash just wide of Sorensen's far post. Good effort from the Ivorian.
64

"I have to say Sorensen's done well to smother his attempt there," Davo says.
64

Substitution Pulis makes a change of his own with Pugh replacing Diao.
63

Van Persie gets a wonderful chance to seal his hat-trick but the Dutchman lashes his close-range effort well over. He appeared to slip a little bit there.
60

Arsenal continute to utterly dominate but there's very little to report.
57

Toure, loitering in the area, can only nod his free header well over Sorensen's ball. Fabulous cross from Arshavin.
57

Substitution Wenger shuffles his pack once again. It looks like a straight swap with Sagna making way for Emmanuel Eboue.
55

Mannone has to be brave to fist Delap's cross away from danger on the dive.
54

Sagna has a go from 20 yards but the rasping drive is always rising and never troubles Sorensen.
54

"Stoke have looked a little more organised since the break," says Dan.
53

A little dip in tempo now - this game looks well won already. Arsenal are seeing most of the ball without carving out any further chances.
50

Shawcross can't find the target with his free header eight yards out - it's well over the bar.
49

But it comes to nothing.
48

Arshavin's cross is turned behind by Shawcross. Arsenal corner...
46

Van Persie, on a hat-trick of course, arrows a header five yards wide from Arshavin's whipped cross. A good chance for the Dutchman.
46

Substitution Arsene Wenger made his first change of the match at the interval. Walcott makes way for Nicklas Bendtner.
46

Arsenal get this second half underway.
Half Time Half Time - Arsenal 4-1 Stoke: The visitors cannot handle the rampant Gunners inspired by Van Persie who of course got sent off in the reverse fixture in November. Fuller's penalty gave Stoke a glimmer of hope at 3-1 but the Dutchman bagged his second of the afternoon just before the break to restore the three-goal cushion. Too easy.
45

A couple of minutes stoppages to be played at the end of this first half.
42

It almost gets immediately worse for Stoke but Toure's low drive cannons back off the foot of the post.
41

GOAL! - Robin van Persie 4 : 1 Goal! Arsenal 4-1 Stoke: Delap, Arsenal's tormentor-in-chief at the Britannia in November, nods an awful header into his own area and Van Persie ferociously punishes him with a swivelling volley past Sorensen.
39

Arshavin takes aim from 30 yards but Sorenson grabs the strike out of the top corner - great save from the sub.
37

Time flies when you're having fun - ain't that the truth. This one has indeed flown by - not long until the break now - Stoke need it.
34

Gibbs almost gets in on the action. Sagna's hanging cross finds the left-back at the back post but his header is a foot over. This is pure entertainment.
33

Off the bar! Van Persie's curling free-kick from almost 30 yards gets up and over the wall, beats Sorenson all ends up, but crashes out off the underside of the ball. Wonderful from the Dutchman.
32

"I've got a feeling there are more goals in this one," state the obvious why don't you Roebuck!
31

GOAL! - Ricardo Fuller 3 : 1 Goal! Arsenal 3-1 Stoke: The Jamaican international makes no mistake. That finish oozed confidence and the debuatant had no chance.
30

Penalty! Straight up the other end and Fuller is fouled by Denilson. Atkinson has no choice but to award the penalty...
30

Song gets up but his downward header is clutched gratefully by Sorensen.
29

Arsenal win the corner. Van Persie swings it in...
28

A huge chance for Walcott goes begging. Van Persie finds Walcott with a sumptuous through-ball but Sorenson saves the England winger's low drive with his legs. He should have scored.
28

Yep Beattie takes, decent effort, but debutant Mannone claims it comfortably.
27

Stoke have a free-kick about 30 yards out - Beattie stands over it...
26

Diaby sends a piledriver goalwards but Sorenson gets his whole body behind it - luckily.
25

A bit of Sunday League soccer with Shawcross taking the goal-kicks for Sorensen who isn't fully fit apparently.
23

Stoke can't get near the ball at the moment - atleast the travelling fans can enjoy a bit of sunshine.
21

Substitution The afternoon gets even worse for Simonsen. After conceding three goals in 18 minutes, Simonsen has to come off with an injury.
19

"This could be a rout this afternoon," says Paul. He's not wrong, especially if the Potters continue to defend like this. It's quite appalling.
18

GOAL! - Abou Diaby 3 : 0 Goal! Arsenal 3-0 Stoke: There goes another one! Van Persie curls in a wonderful free-kick and Abou Diaby rises highest to nod the delivery past Simonson. This is too easy for the Gunners.
16

GOAL! - Robin van Persie 2 : 0 Goal! Arsenal 2-0 Stoke: Van Persie makes no mistake with a superb spot-kick into Simonsen's top right-hand corner. That's the Dutchman's first Premier League goal at Emirates in 2009.
15

Penalty! Shawcross hauls down Van Persie just inside the area and Martin Atkinson points to the spot. The Dutchman will take it...
13

Arsenal are enjoying themselves now. They are truly revelling in the sunshine.
10

GOAL! - James Beattie 1 : 0 Goal! Arsenal 1-0 Stoke: The visitors completely switch off and Beattie stabs Fabregas' low driven cross past his own keeper. A shame for the striker but elation for Arsenal - great start for them.
10

Superb save from Simonsen! Walcott cuts back to Denilson 25 yards out but the keeper tips his volley round the post for a corner...
10

The big Jamaican's up, looks like he'll continue for now.
9

Brek in play here. Fuller has stayed down clutching his shoulder - he looks in some trouble, he might get an early summer holiday.
7

Arsenal are seeing a lot of the ball here. Fabregas tries his luck from almost 30 yards but his effort never troubles Simonsen - the skipper didn't really get hold of that one.
5

Leonard has been in touch to sing the praises of Davo - can't argue with you there my friend - especially two days before May 26! Thanks for your email
4

Yellow Card An early booking for Denilson. The Brazilian brings down Whelan very late - no real complaints on that one.
4

Simonsen slaps it clear
4

Van Persie's dangerous cross is nodded behind by Faye. First corner of the day goes to the Gunners
3

Oh and remember all you online Gooners can follow us on Twitter! get involved at www.twitter.com/arsenaltvonline and www.twitter.com/arsenaldotcom
2

As i said, the weather is simply superb today. I wouldn't blame them if the players got some towels out and had a little lie down in the centre circle - i certainly want to.
1

Shawcross gets the first sight of goal but his header eight yards out flashes well wide.
Kick Off For the last time of the season - we're underway! Stoke get us going.
All you MatchDay Show listeners will be seeing Clarkey reeling off the list of prizes we've got to give away today! "Everything must go!" He says... Get stuck right into that one. Stay tuned for the url.
Not long to go until kick off now and our inbox is starting to fill up. By the way, here at the Emirates they've given out loads of strange inflatable tubes and everyone is having a whale of a time hitting them together. Good stuff.
And remember, as ever keep those emails coming in to Dan and Davo - What's your favourite moment of the season? Let us know www.arsenal.com.studio
Stoke Team News: Rory Delap and his magic arms start for the Potters in a rather attacking line-up. Ricardo Fuller partners January-signing James Beattie in attack with Liam Lawrence and Glenn Whelan providing invention in the midfield. Stoke's player of the year Abdoulaye Faye captains the side from centre-half.
Arsenal Team News: Lukasz Fabianski eventually fails to recover from his niggle so Vito Mannone steps in for his first-team debut between the sticks. The only further change from last weekend's 0-0 draw with Man United is in midfielder - Theo Walcott comes in for Samir Nasri.
Anyway enough of that, here come the teams...
Afternoon comrades. Welcome aboard today's minute-by-minute coverage of Arsenal's final game of the season with Stoke City the visitors to Emirates Stadium. It's a perfect end of season afternoon with the sun out and plenty of fancy dress. In fact, on my way to the ground this morning, i saw an entire family of Supermen.
Good afternoon. Welcome to today's coverage of Arsenal's final game of the 2008/09 Premier League Season. Today's Matchday show will start at 15:15 bringing you the video highlights and post-match reaction from Manchester United v Arsenal, Paddy Power's top bets, the key moments from Arsenal's pre-match press conference and much more.
Don't forget to stay tuned for the Post-match show, where you can win some amazing prizes, live straight after the final whistle with Dan Roebuck and Paul Davis.