Episode 87 with highlights, features, analysis and more
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Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.
90
POST-MATCH SHOW: Stay online for our post-match debate. Richard Fleming and Paul Davis will be taking your calls and e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK)
90
ALL OVER AT THE BRITANNIA: Arsenal bossed the first half but the second half was a much more even affair. Two games, two points, no goals, but plenty of positives with all three new signings showing their worth against Stoke
Full Time FULL-TIME: STOKE CITY 0-0 ARSENAL
90
ONE LAST CHANCE? Arsenal are deep in Stoke territory, can they find a way through... no, Oxlade-Chamberlain crosses but it's too deep and Begovic will take his time over the goal kick
Top Comments:
@beta_monkey on Twitter says:
Loads of possession... but Arsenal hasn't looked a threat for that final scoring touch
90
THREE MINUTES LEFT: That's how much stoppage time we'll have at the Britannia as Giroud picks out Ramsey's run... but another shot is blocked
89
GIROUD! Oh, what a wonderful effort from the Frenchman. Mertesacker cleared the free kick with a towering header and Giroud fizzed a left-foot effort from wide on the left flank which beat Begovic and just cleared the bar
Top Comments:
@CPalmes_21 on Twitter says:
I'm making inhuman noises over that barely missed shot.
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
Terrific effort from Giroud and it showed plenty of ambition, but you have to wonder if he should have passed to Ramsey
87
RAMSEY SHOOTS: The Welshman curves a shot just wide of the far post. Time is running out for Arsenal and they have some defending to do now as Stoke win a free kick 35 yards out
86
WALTERS GOES THROUGH: Ramsey lost the ball and it's played into the left channel for Walters but he takes it early and can only flick his shot tamely towards Mannone
Top Comments:
@dee_thai on Twitter says:
Mannone has looked very solid today. Two loan spells at Hull look to have helped him a lot
85
ARSENAL PRESSURE: One corner leads to another as the visitors push for a winner - but Stoke have defended these very well today and that one is cleared as well
Top Comments:
Dan Roebuck on Arsenal Player says:
The last time Arsenal scored in the final minutes was Mikel Arteta's goal against Manchester City
84
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match debate. Richard Fleming and Paul Davis will be taking your calls and e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK)
82
THE OX WINS A CORNER: Arteta trots across to take it and up come Vermaelen and Mertesacker... it's the Ox who meets it with his head and that flies just wide
Top Comments:
@QuaribC on Twitter says:
you think after all these corners, Arsenal would have score a goal or two
81
Substitution HERE COMES RAMSEY: Santi Cazorla comes off. Ramsey gets a huge jeer from the home fans
Top Comments:
@MattJManton on Twitter says:
Ramsey comes on at the Britannia and a chorus of boos ring out. This is why nobody likes Stoke
81
Substitution ANOTHER CHANGE FOR STOKE: Glenn Whelan comes off, Wilson Palacios comes on. Former Spurs midfielder, of course
79
Substitution STOKE MAKE A CHANGE: On comes Ryan Shotton, off goes Peter Crouch. Mertesacker and Vermaelen won't miss Crouch
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WALCOTT DOES WELL: Theo gets past two defenders as Arsenal break but his cross is booted away. Just over ten minutes left here at the Britannia - can Arsenal find a winner?
Top Comments:
@krayzeekris on Twitter says:
Fantastic play from Theo, persistence, nutmeg. More urgency from us now but we're allowing Stoke on at us too
76
BEGOVIC CLAIMS: Good possession by Arsenal and it goes wide to Gibbs. He crosses but that's easy for Begovic
74
DIABY! Another chance goes begging. Jenkinson's cross reaches Diaby but he can't dig the ball out for a proper shot and screws his shot wide. Dear oh dear
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GOOD CHANCE ARTETA: Giroud's control lets him down but the ball runs for Arteta... and his first-time effort is sliced wide. Mikel has his head in his hands - he knows he should have hit the target
72
Substitution AND HERE COMES THE OX: Podolski makes way for another England international - so Giroud has new options either side of him up front
Top Comments:
@borris206 on Twitter says:
Time for the speed twins to do their part!!!
72
Substitution HERE COMES WALCOTT: Gervinho makes way for the England international
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CAZORLA SHOOTS: That's from fully 30 yards and it flies over - but Arsenal get the corner after a small deflection. In it comes... and Giroud shoots wide with a mistimed volley. Half a chance there
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
That would have been a spectacular way for Giroud to open his account, but he missed it completely
69
CROUCH AT FULL STRETCH: Stoke push on and Crouch can't quite divert Walters' cross back across goal. It's hard to pick a winner at this stage after a much more even second half
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#SCFCvAFC: Use that hashtag if you join the conversation on Twitter - we'll publish some of your comments right here
68
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match debate. Richard Fleming and Paul Davis will be taking your calls and e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK)
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Substitution STOKE MAKE A CHANGE: Cameron Jerome will replace Pennant. Three Arsenal subs still warming up on the touchline
65
ARTETA WITH THE SHOT... but his free kick hits the wall, just like Cazorla's did in the first half. A good opportunity is wasted
63
Yellow Card YELLOW CARD: Wilkinson clatters into Vermaelen on the edge of the box, that's a bad challenge and he goes in the book
Top Comments:
@kwirirayi on Twitter says:
That should have been a red. That is a sickening challenge. Typical Stoke!
62
ARSENAL BREAK: Podolski gets down the left again and stands up a first-time cross. Arsenal get the corner and Cazorla will take it... but Stoke clear despite Vermaelen's best efforts
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VITO UNDER PRESSURE: Crouch goes up for a high ball with the keeper but he claims - just about - after briefly fumbling. End to end stuff at the moment
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PODOLSKI GETS AWAY: Wilkinson slips and Lukas races past him but his cross eludes Giroud's run as Begovic claims
59
WALTERS GOES CLOSE: He slaloms past Jenkinson and hammers a shot over the bar. Stoke are enjoying a good spell now - if only we'd taken the lead when we were on top...
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PENALTY SHOUT! But it's not given and Stoke are fuming! Gibbs and Vermaelen left the ball for each other, Pennant nipped past Gibbs and there seemed to be contact as the former Gunner went down. Lee Mason said no but it looked like a penalty to me
Top Comments:
@DaKonk1 on Twitter says:
Looked like a Pen to me, let's take advantage of finally having some good luck
57
REMINDER: Stay online after the final whistle for our post-match debate. Richard Fleming and Paul Davis will be taking your calls and e-mails so phone the studio on 020 7607 3200 (from inside the UK) or +44 20 7607 3200 (from outside the UK)
55
WHO WILL COME ON FIRST? The Ox, Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott are all stretching down on the touchline
53
CAZORLA ROBBED: Santi dwells on the ball too long and is dispossessed - Stoke will surely have been told to close him down quicker. The home side have a throw in dangerous territory and that is just about hacked clear
Top Comments:
@mo3gunner on Twitter says:
Stoke City should be worried, arsenal will release to bulldogs soon in Walcott and Chamberlain
51
NOT SO UNLUCKY GERVINHO: Great centre forward play from Giroud and he picks out Gervinho in space on the edge of the box. He should hit the target but snatches at his shot and the ball rolls harmlessly wide
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Gervinho always gets into good areas, but his final product is the concern
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UNLUCKY GERVINHO: Diaby turns well to get Arsenal moving again, he finds Gervinho but a ricochet means the away side don't get the corner they probably deserve
47
OOOH, DIABY: He tries to slide a pass into the box for Cazorla but gets it wrong. A shot was possibly the best option anyway
Kick Off OFF WE GO AGAIN: Arsenal go straight on the attack with Giroud holding the ball up well once more
Top Comments:
@cynorix on Twitter says:
I'm impressed with the way we handled the dead balls & Crouch but we need to be more decisive in the final third.
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#SCFCvAFC: That's the hashtag to use if you want to join the conversation on Twitter. We'll publish some of your comments here
45
ARSENAL ARE BACK: Thomas Vermaelen leads the purples (!) out for the second half. Can they add an end product to their fine approach play?
45
SUMMARY: Still no goals scored or conceded in 135 minutes of Premier League football this season but Arsenal should be ahead after bossing much of the first half here. Podolski, Giroud and Cazorla all caused problems for Stoke while Gibbs has impressed on the overlap. Mannone has had a couple of confidence-boosting moments and the defence has been well drilled - although Stoke did finish the half strongly
Top Comments:
@momo_alam on Twitter says:
I have a feeling when Giroud opens his Arsenal account; he will be difficult to stop
@Tmoseley20 on Twitter says:
Halftime thoughts: Gervinho needs to pass, Giroud needs to be fed the ball, Podolski needs to shoot. Repeat these steps for goals.
Half Time HALF-TIME: STOKE CITY 0-0 ARSENAL
Top Comments:
@afc_lewis on Twitter says:
This is the best I've saw his play against stoke. Giroud is bullying their defence. Ox on for Gervinho tho he's to lightweight
45
STOPPAGE TIME: One minute to be added on and Arsenal have a corner after Gervinho is challenged by Wilkinson
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CROUCH SHOOTS: And thankfully that was blocked. Good effort from Crouch and Stoke are on top at the moment. Half-time could come at a good time for Arsenal
43
CUTTING EDGE: Arsenal have done so much good work but that final pass or cross has been lacking so far
Top Comments:
@QueenCityGooner on Twitter says:
If we can stumble through the first few games our new trio will gel and really start producing. Looking good already
41
STOKE PRESSURE: Jenkinson and then Gibbs have to make key headers as two very decent crosses are delivered. Arsenal break with Podolski and Gibbs wins a corner
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Lukas Podolski does not need to adapt to game like this. He flew in to that challenge like a bull., He is a strong man
39
GERVINHO ON THE RUN: Cazorla finds Gervinho and he beats his man but gets muscled out of it. Pity - there were three Arsenal players in the box waiting for a cut-back
38
MANNONE CLAIMS: Cameron with the long throw (Delap is on the bench) but Vito gets right underneath that and claims well
36
IRONIC CHEERS... from the home fans as Stoke get a couple of free kicks. Mind you, when you don't have the ball you won't earn many free kicks. This one is headed away at the near post but Stoke are still in Arsenal territory
34
SANTI! Great effort from distance from the Spanish playmaker after the ref plays advantage following a foul on Arteta. Begovic gets a hand to it and tips the ball wide for a corner
Top Comments:
@Tom_Harris95 on Twitter says:
Cazorla is a class signing, just need a goal now
@kylebartley22 on Twitter says:
Santi Cazorla looks a class apart already!! Looking forward to seeing him and jack playing together!!
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CAZORLA CLATTERED: Stoke haven't been able to get close to Santi but they finally do and he gets a big whack on the leg
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MATCHDAY SHOW UPDATE: Our live stream is currently only available if you select LOW stream quality. We apologise for the inconvenience
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GOOD SAVE! Two touches in a manner of minutes for Mannone and that effort from Kightly was travelling. Stoke got forward very quickly on the counter-attack and Walters picked out the home side's new signing from Wolves
Top Comments:
@SanchezNI on Twitter says:
Arteta providing more cover for the back 4 than Song ever did.
27
MANNONE GETS A TOUCH: He has barely been involved given Arsenal's domination but he collects when Walters tries a cross-shot
25
PODOLSKI AGAIN: Lovely interplay with Cazorla ends with a fierce shot that he gets too far under. The German is causing so many problems when he picks the ball up from deep. Wenger has won the tactical battle so far with his team outnumbering Stoke in midfield
Top Comments:
@JamiePBates on Twitter says:
Podolski wants to make things happen and his driving foward is gunna be important to us!
22
LOTS OF POSITIVES: Podolski is so much more effective when he picks the ball up from deep while Giroud has led the line well. Cazorla, Diaby and Arteta are bossing the midfield and Gibbs is getting forward well on the left. Lots for Wenger to be pleased about - but no goals of course
Top Comments:
@ashrafkharrubi on Twitter says:
Front three is definitely my preferred setup. Each playing in their preferred positions and they are lively
21
GREAT PLAY FROM ARSENAL: Cazorla to Diaby, he finds Gibbs on the overlap and he's just got to cut it back to Podolski but instead drifts a cross to the far post - where no Arsenal player is there to meet it
Top Comments:
@krayzeekris on Twitter says:
This is great stuff, loads of movement, switching positions, Stoke can't keep up, just lacking final shot. Good work from Diaby
19
BIG DIAGONAL: That's Stoke's policy but this time Crouch and Pennant can't latch onto the long ball and it bounces out for a goal kick
17
CAZORLA... his first shot hits the wall, and the second effort flies wide. Jeers from the home fans but Arsenal have had the better of this game so far
Top Comments:
@1urkah on Twitter says:
I am feeling Cazorla to get a goal today.
16
Yellow Card YELLOW CARD: Huth goes in the book for a cynical foul on Podolski after the German had waltzed past two challenges. Powerful run, and now Cazorla fancies this free kick
15
STRONG CHALLENGE: And once again it comes from an Arsenal boot as Vermaelen stops Walters. Giroud gets a shot away from the resulting counter-attack but it flies wide
13
GIBBS WITH THE CROSS: Giroud knocks down for Cazorla, he finds Gibbs and the cross almost reaches Giroud in the six-yard box. Promising signs for Arsenal
Top Comments:
@maccajr333 on Twitter says:
good start so far Arsenal looking using Gibbs and Jenkinson out wide and Carzola using pin point passing only a matter of time!!
12
WELL PLAYED GIROUD: Another good contribution from the new boy. Excellent leap as he wins another header - he's made an impressive start
Top Comments:
@MFruens on Twitter says:
Arsenal already looking dangerous in exploiting the space behind the big Stoke defenders. Needs to be careful as well
11
#SCFCvAFC: That's the hashtag if you want to join the conversation on Twitter. We'll publish some of your comments right here
10
VERMAELEN ORGANISING: Arsene Wenger has said the captain needs to learn to be a bit more vocal and he was then, pulling Diaby back as Stoke line up another throw
8
CHANCE FOR PODOLSKI: He won the ball back in Stoke territory and fed Gervinho, who found Giroud. His lofted return pass into the box evaded Gervinho but bounced for Podolski but he is challenged as he shoots
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Decent start for Arsenal. I'm interested in the role of Gervinho, if he gets on the ball he could be problem for Stoke. He's been more and more influential so far this season
7
OFFSIDE! Walters smashes Crouch's knockdown into the net but the flag goes up. Cue an enormous ironic cheer from the away fans. Crouch's power in the air is a worry though
Top Comments:
@gunemall on Twitter says:
Diaby must stop giving the ball away in the middle of the park. Jenks needs to calm down
5
GIROUD NIPS IN: Good challenge from the French striker - his physical presence is already helping. But his pass goes astray. Gervinho is also getting on the ball in these early exchanges while Stoke look to play on the break
4
SOLID START: Arsenal have knocked the ball around pretty well in the opening minutes but no chances to report. Here come Stoke with their first long throw... and Mannone gets that on the second bounce
2
TACTICS: As expected Podolski is stationed on the left with Giroud through the centre and Gervinho on the right. Cazorla is tripped... not for the last time I suspect... and Arsenal get an early free kick
Kick Off WE'RE UNDERWAY: The Stoke fans are making a right old racket with an early rendition of Delilah as the game kicks off
HERE THEY COME... Thomas Vermaelen leads out the Gunners in their change strip of purple and black. Ryan Shawcross leads out Stoke
The atmosphere is building at the Britannia as Eminem's Lose Yourself is cranked up and the fans get to their feet. The teams will be here in a matter of minutes...
Top Comments:
@tonynygooner on Twitter says:
Giroud to score today and Cazorla to run the show
#SCFCvAFC: That's the hashtag to use if you want to join the conversation on today's game. We'll publish a selection of your comments right here
The away fans are already in good voice - we saw plenty of them on the train up this morning. Back on the pitch Santos and the Ox try their luck from the halfway line - Santos scores and the Ox misses
The sun has just come out at the Britannia but I can see dark clouds in the distance. Hopefully that's not a metaphor for the game as far as Arsenal are concerned. Arsene Wenger's team are limbering up on what looks like an excellent playing surface
Top Comments:
@kts_gunner on Twitter says:
Game starts in a bit! Every match against Stoke is so nerve-wrecking :S But c'mon you Gunners, I know we can get 3 pts today!
SUBS: Martinez, Santos, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Djourou, Coquelin
ARSENAL TEAM: Mannone, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs, Arteta, Diaby, Cazorla, Gervinho, Podolski, Giroud
Top Comments:
@leoviajar on Twitter says:
Podolski and Giroud must show that they truly are finishers today. Time to start firing again u Gunners!
We'll have the confirmed team news for you soon. In the meantime tell us who YOU think should start: www.arsenal.com/studio and #SCFCvAFC
We know that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is back in contention after missing the Sunderland game through injury but Laurent Koscielny is still out so Per Mertesacker and Thomas Vermaelen are expected to line up in the centre of defence
There are dark clouds hovering over the Britannia Stadium ahead of what has become a traditionally tough fixture for Arsenal. Arsene Wenger says, "It is a question of being strong enough to dictate your style." Can the Gunners do that? Have your say #SCFCvAFC
As ever we welcome your comments throughout our coverage so send your e-mails at www.arsenal.com/studio and join the conversation on Twitter using this hashtag: #SCFCvAFC
Our MatchDay Show gets underway at 1pm with former Gunner Paul Davis joining Richard Fleming in the studio and Richard Clarke alongside Dan Roebuck in the commentary box
Welcome to Arsenal Player for our live coverage of the Gunners' trip to Stoke City
Stoke City
01 BEGOVIC, Asmir
12 WILSON, Marc
17 SHAWCROSS, Ryan
28 WILKINSON, Andy
04 HUTH, Robert
06 WHELAN, Glenn
08 PALACIOS, Wilson (81)
07 PENNANT, Jermaine
33 JEROME, Cameron (66)
02 CAMERON, Geoff
21 KIGHTLY, Michael
19 WALTERS, Jonathan
25 CROUCH, Peter
30 SHOTTON, Ryan (79)
29 SORENSEN, THOMAS
20 UPSON, MATTHEW
30 SHOTTON, RYAN
08 PALACIOS, WILSON
24 DELAP, RORY
09 JONES, KENWYNE
33 JEROME, CAMERON
Arsenal
24 MANNONE, Vito
25 JENKINSON, Carl
04 MERTESACKER, Per
05 VERMAELEN, Thomas
28 GIBBS, Kieran
08 ARTETA, Mikel
02 DIABY, Abou
19 CAZORLA, Santi
16 RAMSEY, Aaron (81)
27 GERVINHO
14 WALCOTT, Theo (72)
09 PODOLSKI, Lukas
15 OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN, Alex (72)
12 GIROUD, Olivier
59 MARTINEZ, DAMIAN
11 SANTOS, ANDRE
20 DJOUROU, JOHAN
15 OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN, ALEX
16 RAMSEY, AARON
22 COQUELIN, FRANCIS
14 WALCOTT, THEO
Top Comments:
@jfuhrer on Twitter says:
Happy with no goals conceded in two games - slow and steady wins the race #thegoalswillcome