Barclays Premier League

FULL-TIME REPORT

They had to be patient and take the share of luck, but in the end Arsenal fully deserved their three points today. Stoke City arrived at the Emirates Stadium with the sole intention of stopping Arsene Wenger's side from beating Asmir Begovic - and it was a tactic which worked in the first half as the Gunners found Begovic in fine form. The second half started similarly but the introduction of Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski swung the pendulum in favour of the hosts. The latter of those substitutes broke the deadlock in controversial fashion when his free kick deflected in off Geoff Cameron. The assistant referee flagged for offside but, after consulting with him, referee Chris Foy awarded the goal. Foy's lenient disposition backfired late on as the match threatened to boil over, with even Michael Owen needing a talking to. Ryan Shawcross' nasty challenge on Laurent Koscielny will receive plenty of coverage in tomorrow's newspapers but it was a small price to pay for Arsenal's well-deserved three points.

FULL-TIME WHISTLE

Referee Chris Foy brings this feisty encounter to a conclusion. Arsenal have the three points, beating Stoke City by a goal to nil.

OWEN AND ARTETA FACE OFF

All hell has broken loose at the Emirates Stadium. Michael Owen and Mikel Arteta clash inside the Stoke half after a late tackle by the Spanish midfielder. It looked like Owen hit out and then Arteta reacted again. Chris Foy has let both players escape punishment, as well as the mass of players who were involved in the subsequent square-ups.

FOUR ADDED MINUTES

Arsenal's Theo Walcott is making way for Aaron Ramsey as four minutes of added time are signalled by the fourth official.

SHAWCROSS NASTY

That's a really nasty tackle from Ryan Shawcross on Laurent Koscielny and he's lucky to escape with a booking. The Emirates Stadium faithful are, of course, not big fans of the Stoke central defender.

TOO LITTLE TOO LATE

Stoke's drastic change of tactics looks to have come too late. They now have three strikers up front but they are struggling to gain enough possession to test the Arsenal defence and the Gunners look comfortable. Ryan Shawcross picks up a yellow for a hard tackle on Laurent Koscielny.

STOKE TRIPLE SUB

Stoke will feel very hard done by given the circumstances of that Arsenal goal. It looked like the assistant referee was flagging for offside but Chris Foy must have deemed that Podolski's free kick came off a Potters player. Meanwhile, Tony Pulis is taking drastic action, making three changes. Kenwyne Jones, Cameron Jerome and Michael Owen are all coming on for Peter Crouch, Jonathan Walters and Geoff Cameron.

CAZORLA CHANCE

And it should be 2-0! Santi Cazorla tricks his way through the Stoke defence and gets a kind rebound before bending the ball towards the top corner of the goal. Asmir Begovic however gets the slightest of touches to send the ball over the bar.

PODOLSKI SCORES

Controversy! Andy Wilkinson hauls down Theo Walcott on the edge of the Stoke area and finally picks up a yellow card. The free kick is just to the right of goal so Lukas Podolski takes it and smashes an effort at goal. The ball takes a deflection off the Stoke wall and goes past Asmir Begovic. The linesman has his flag raised for offside but, after consulting with him, referee Chris Foy decides to award the goal.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

It's a goal! Lukas Podolski scores!

MONREAL SLICE

Time is running out for the Gunners and you can tell that frustration is starting to settle in. New signing Nacho Monreal ventures forward from left-back but his right-footed effort sails a long way wide, almost hitting the corner flag.

CAZORLA CREATIVITY

Santi Cazorla has wasted no time getting involved in this game. He jinks his way down the right wing before aiming a cross at Olivier Giroud's head. Giroud connects and loops the ball towards the top corner but it dips over the bar.

WHELAN CAUTIONED

Glenn Whelan becomes the first player to go into Chris Foy's book having barged over Santi Cazorla on the halfway line as Arsenal launched a counter attack. The volume is picking up inside the Emirates now.

ARSENAL CHANGES

Theo Walcott is down after getting a hand to the face from Andy Wilkinson but it looked accidental on the Stoke man's part. Arsenal's supporters don't think so, mind. Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger is going to change things around - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Abou Diaby are being replaced by Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski.

STOKE CHANCE

It's a rare chance for Stoke as a Ryan Shotton long throw causes panic in the Arsenal penalty area. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain heads the ball straight down in his own penalty area and it eventually falls to Ryan Shawcross whose shot is way off target. If that had fallen to a more accomplished Stoke attacker, Arsenal could have been in trouble.

NO URGENCY

There's a real lack of urgency on the part of the home side at the minute. Build-up play is slow and predictable, allowing Stoke to adjust their defensive setup accordingly. It's surely only a matter of time until the likes of Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski are introduced.

GUNNERS PROBING

Arsenal are continuing to probe, though few rewards are forthcoming. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain drives a pass towards Jack Wilshere, who is in a promising position, but the midfielder is wrong-footed and the ball rolls out for a Stoke City goal kick.

GIROUD OVER

An excellent move from Arsenal ends in Jack Wilshere laying the ball back to Olivier Giroud inside the area. Again, Robert Huth is on the shoulder of the striker and he does enough to distract Giroud, who fires over the bar.

WILSHERE ADVANCED

The early moments of the second half are mirroring that of the first - it's relentless Arsenal pressure. Jack Wilshere, who is playing more advanced in this half, stands up an excellent cross for Olivier Giroud but Robert Huth gets to the ball before the Frenchman.

EARLY PRESSURE

Arsenal are applying the pressure early on in this second half. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain evades Ryan Shotton but hesitates when he should have put a cross in and the chance goes.

WALKING WOUNDED

Jonathan Walters has re-emerged for the second half having had six stitches in his head wound. He becomes the second bandaged Stoke City player on the Emirates pitch today, with Robert Huth also walking wounded.

BACK UNDERWAY

We're off again at the Emirates Stadium. Can Arsenal up their game to break down this organised and stubborn Stoke City defence?

HALF-TIME REPORT

Stoke City have only scored eight goals away from home in the Premier League this season and if their first half performance is anything to go by, that tally is not going to be increasing today. Arsenal have been frustrated by the visitors' tactics with Tony Pulis' men sitting deep and looking to frustrate Arsene Wenger's side. The hosts' best chances have fallen to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but on both occasions Asmir Begovic pulled off excellent saves. The Gunners need to be quicker and more incisive in the second period - this match is calling out for the imaginative nature of Santi Cazorla, who is currently sat on the Gunners bench.

HALF-TIME WHISTLE

And that's half-time at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal and Stoke are yet to find the net here, with the scoreline still goalless.

WALTERS CUT

Stoke's Jonathan Walters is down with a nasty cut to the head, sustained in an aerial challenge with Nacho Monreal. It was a completely innocent clash but Walters has definitely come off worse for wear.

ARSENAL CAMPED

It's desperate defending from Stoke who are forced to block shots from Theo Walcott and then Olivier Giroud. This is genuine backs-to-the-wall stuff from the visitors.

BEGOVIC BRILLIANCE

That's another excellent chance for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but again he's denied by Asmir Begovic. Jack Wilshere slides in the winger who attempts to curl the ball past the Bosnian keeper, but Begovic stands tall and palms the ball out for a corner.

EMIRATES FRUSTRATION

Jack Wilshere is muscled off the ball in the Arsenal midfield by Glenn Whelan but the home support are furious that Chris Foy didn't award a free-kick. Frustration is just starting to settle in at the Emirates.

ARSENAL CHANCES

Arsenal should be one up. First, Jack Wilshere's corner picks out an unmarked Olivier Giroud but instead of heading at goal, he attempts to head it back across goal for a team mate and Stoke clear. Seconds later, another cross comes and Laurent Koscielny does head at goal but Asmir Begovic pulls off another smart stop.

BEGOVIC STOP

Theo Walcott definitely holds the key here. Andy Wilkinson has his shorts around his ankles again as Walcott breezes past him and forces a corner. From that set piece, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has Arsenal's best chance, forcing Asmir Begovic into a point blank save.

SHAWCROSS EFFORT

The latest Stoke half chance falls to Ryan Shawcross who meets his own knock down on the edge of the Arsenal area. He spins and shoots but slices high and wide.

CLASH OF HEADS

Arsenal have Bacary Sagna down injured in their own penalty area after a clash of heads with Andy Wilkinson. 'Tis but a scratch though and he's straight back up after treatment from the Gunners medical team.

SUBDUED ARSENAL

It's been a subdued performance from the Gunners so far and that's also true of the Emirates Stadium crowd who are extremely quiet. Credit has to go to Stoke City for not allowing the home side to get a hold on the game.

WHELAN OFF BALANCE

The visitors have only had a couple of half chances - the latest one falling to Glenn Whelan. Arsenal clear a Matthew Etherington cross only as far as the Irish international but he is off balance when he aims a shot at goal and it balloons over the Gunners' bar.

DEEP STOKE

Stoke are sitting very deep when Arsenal are in possession which is denying the Gunners any space to exchange passes at a quick tempo and get in behind the Potters' defence. Theo Walcott has been the home side's sole point of danger so far and he lures Andy Wilkinson into another rash challenge. He avoids picking up a yellow card but a caution can't be far away.

CROUCH HAS SPACE

Stoke's Peter Crouch receives the ball with his back to goal but isn't closed down by the Arsenal defence, allowing him to turn and strike at goal. His bending effort deflects off Laurent Koscielny and out for a corner kick. It's slack defending from Arsenal but they escape punishment when the Stoke corner comes to nothing.

DIABY ENERGY

Arsenal's Abou Diaby exhanges passes with Bacary Sagna down the left before attempting to pick out the near-post run of Olivier Giroud. Robert Huth is tight to the Frenchman though and forces the ball out of play off the striker.

STOKE LEFT SIDE

The majority of Stoke's early attacking has been down their left flank through Matthew Etherington but they are yet to fashion a decent opportunity to test Wojciech Szczesny.

WALCOTT ALL OVER WILKINSON

Theo Walcott versus Andy Wilkinson is a real mismatch and it won't have escaped Tony Pulis' attention that his full-back has had a mockery made of him three times already. Luckily, so far the rest of the Stoke defence have managed to bail Wilkinson out each time but it's a dangerous situation.

LAND OF THE GIANTS

Stoke are traditionally known for their prowess at the set piece but Arsenal aren't understocked in the height department today. Per Mertesacker, Olivier Giroud and Abou Diaby should all give the visitors something to think about at corners and free-kicks. Jack Wilshere's first couple of deliveries however are appropriately dealt with.

WALCOTT PACE

Theo Walcott looks to have the beating of Stoke's makeshift left back Andy Wilkinson. He ghosts in behind Wilkinson and attempts to pick out the advancing run of Olivier Giroud but his cut-back is behind everyone and can be cleared.

OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN WIDE

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has the first shot of the game from 20 yards out after Stoke fail to close him down. However he pulls his shot wide and should have done better, considering the time and space he had.

HUTH BLOCK

Stoke's Robert Huth is still sporting a bandage on his head after clashing heads with Franco Di Santo in the midweek game against Wigan and he's in action early on, closing down Theo Walcott when the winger was in a good crossing position.

WE'RE OFF

Chris Foy gets this afternoon's Premier League fixture underway. These two sides have contrasting styles and this fixture has seen plenty of controversy in recent history, but will Arsenal or Stoke come out on top today?

CAZORLA BENCHED, CROUCH STARTS

Arsenal give a debut to Spanish full-back Nacho Monreal. Surprisingly though, playmaker Santi Cazorla can only make the bench as Abou Diaby is preferred in midfield. Lukas Podolski also has to settle for a place among the substitutes, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain handed a starting berth. Stoke go with Peter Crouch over Kenwyne Jones as Ryan Shotton comes back into the Potters' starting XI.

STOKE STARTING XI

Asmir Begovic, Ryan Shotton, Ryan Shawcross, Robert Huth, Andy Wilkinson, Geoff Cameron, Steven N'Zonzi, Glenn Whelan, Matthew Etherington, Jonathan Walters, Peter Crouch. Bench: Thomas Sorensen, Charlie Adam, Dean Whitehead, Michael Kightly, Cameron Jerome, Kenwyne Jones, Michael Owen.

ARSENAL STARTING XI

Wojciech Szczesny, Bacary Sagna, Per Merteacker, Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal, Abou Diaby, Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Olivier Giroud. Bench: Vito Mannone, Carl Jenkinson, Andre Santos, Aaron Ramsey, Tomas Rosicky, Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski.

REF WATCH

Chris Foy is the man in the middle for today's Premier League fixture. The St Helens-born official is known one of the division's more lenient referees. He has taken charge of 15 Premier League games this season, handing out just 26 yellow cards and not issuing a single dismissal. He has refereed three matches involving Arsenal or Stoke this season - including the Gunners' thrilling 7-3 drubbing over Newcastle back in December.

LAST TIME OUT

These two sides last met at the Emirates Stadium way back in October 2011, when the Gunners ran out 3-1 winners. Stoke's Peter Crouch had cancelled out Gervinho's strike but Robin van Persie's late double secured all three points for Wenger's men. In the reverse fixture at the Britannia this season, Arsenal's new-look, rigid backline helped inspire their side to an unexpected point in a goalless deadlock.

NO ACTION FOR POTTERS BUYS

Stoke City are not able to call on either of their deadline day signings. Goalkeeper Jack Butland has been loaned back to Birmingham City until the summer while American Brek Shea is still recovering from surgery on his foot. Full-back Marc Wilson is continuing his rehabilitation from a broken leg sustained last year but should return to reserve team action next week. Strikers Peter Crouch and Kenwyne Jones will vie for a starting place up front after moves away from the Britannia Stadium last month failed to materialise.

MONREAL TO START?

With Kieran Gibbs out injured for the next six weeks with a thigh problem, deadline day signing Nacho Monreal should start at left-back. The Spaniard signed from Malaga this week for a fee touted to be in the region of £8.5million. French midfielder Francis Coquelin joins Gibbs on the sidelines and winger Gervinho is still on international duty with Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations. Defender Thomas Vermaelen and midfielder Mikel Arteta could still make the starting XI but their respective ankle and calf injuries will be assessed on the day.

MATCH PREVIEW

The race for the fourth place in the Premier League, and therefore the final qualification spot for the Champions League, is getting serious. With Tottenham, Everton and Liverpool all competing with the Gunners, there is a real chance that Arsene Wenger's side could fail to make it to Europe's elite competition for the first time since he took over as manager in 1996. A run of one win in five league games has increased anxiety at the Emirates and Stoke, firmly entrenched in mid-table, will be hopeful of picking up points from their trip south, despite being without a win in five Premier League matches themselves.