Gunners go top with 0-0 draw
Arsenal have gone back to the top of the Premier League following a goalless draw against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.
The Gunners travelled to Stoke with a shocking record against them at the Britannia Stadium, and after dropping two points late on at Anfield on Wednesday, pressure was on them to bounce back.
As for Stoke, they are always up for this encounter due to the fierce-rivalry between the two sides that has developed over the past few years.
Arsenal fans were left shocked ahead of kick-off with the news that Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez hadn’t travelled with the squad, with the German suffering a foot injury in training.
However, it didn’t do the away team too much damage as they left with a point and return to the top of the table.
Summary
It was a game of few chances, but when they did arise, it was the goalkeepers that came out on top.
Jack Butland was the first to be tested when he denied Olivier Giroud in the first-half, and the England international was to be tested by the striker once again in the second-half following a thumping header.
It was then Petr Cech‘s turn to shine, and that he did as he denied Stoke on several occasions.
The goalkeeper was tested the most when Joselu‘s shot was goal-bound, only for him to parry it away towards Bojan. The Czech international managed to regain his footing and then parry the forward’s shot around the corner.
So with the point Arsenal return to the top of the table due to goal difference, and Stoke sit seventh.
Match Reaction
Stoke manager Mark Hughes, talking to BBC Sport: “It was a game between evenly matched sides. Both teams approached the game in the right manner and created chances. All-in-all we’re pleased. It shows our progress. Teams have found it difficult to get points here.
“We are showing everyone we have belief in our ability. There was a period where Arsenal had some play around the box without creating too much. It was a similar story at the other end.
“It was a competitive game. At times, there were good opportunities to put the ball in the box and so the only criticism I would have is that we were reluctant to do that.”
Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland: “His [Petr Cech’s] record speaks for itself. First half he had no saves to make but when we turned up the pressure he made the saves. That is the sign of a top keeper.”
Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech: “I thought stoke did very well. We did well in the first half and had a chance to go 1-0 up but Jack [Butland] made a good save. Second half the momentum shifted and they had chances. We could have won and could have lost. We will take the point.
“We were coming here and heard from everyone we would lose again. But we showed we can compete. We are in a position we wanted to be.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
