Stoke vs. Arsenal: Score, Grades and Reaction from Premier League Game

Stoke City took a commanding early lead and held on for a 3-2 victory at home to 10-man Arsenal on Saturday in a thrilling Premier League match at the Britannia Stadium. 

The hosts went ahead through Peter Crouch less than 20 seconds into the match and led 3-0 at half-time via goals from Bojan Krkic and Jonathan Walters. Arsenal scored twice in three second-half minutes to pull themselves back into the match but could not find an equaliser despite laying siege to Stoke's goal in the closing moments.

Arsenal finished the match with 10 men after defender Calum Chambers was dismissed in the 78th minute for his second booking.

Michael Regan/Getty Images

The two teams hardly could have entered the match in more contrasting form. Stoke had lost three consecutive Premier League matches while Arsenal had won three straight in all competitions. But with the victory, Stoke moved onto 18 points through 15 matches, well clear of the relegation zone. Arsenal, who lost for the fourth time this season, remain on 23 points, two behind fourth-placed Manchester United.

Up next for Stoke is a trip to Crystal Palace next Saturday in the Premier League. Arsenal will try to bounce back Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League at Galatasaray before hosting Newcastle United next Saturday in the Premier League. 

Arsenal came into the contest with defensive issues, first-choice centre-back Laurent Koscielny starting on the bench with an Achilles issue. Stoke took advantage in short order, grabbing the lead in under 20 seconds.

With the first attack of the match, Crouch won the ball in the middle and spread the ball out wide to Jonathan Walters on the right. Walters crossed back into the middle, where Crouch found space between Chambers and deputy right-back Hector Bellerin. Neither Arsenal defender was able to make an impact on the play, giving Crouch plenty of time to settle the ball in the centre and sweep in a simple shot from six yards.

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That defending was what you would call "Arsenal" Absolutely comical. 1-0 after 25 seconds. Embarrassing. #AFC #scfc

— James Masters (@Masters_JamesD) December 6, 2014"

Arsenal had a chance to hit back in the 11th minute after Bellerin chased down a loose ball near Stoke's byline. But although Bellerin's pass picked out an unmarked Olivier Giroud at the back post, Giroud missed the target with his free header.

Stoke doubled their lead in the 35th minute. Walters initiated the danger again, crossing from the right as Arsenal full-back Kieran Gibbs stood off. Unmarked, Krkic volleyed in at the near post for a 2-0 lead.

It was 3-0 in the 45th minute as Stoke gathered their first goal from a set piece this season. Walters went from provider to scorer, slamming high into the net from close range after Crouch won a looping corner. 

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger introduced Danny Welbeck to the attack at the start of the second half, moving Mathieu Flamini from midfield to right-back in place of Bellerin. In the 47th minute, Welbeck hit a deflected shot off target after Alexis Sanchez led a quick attack into Stoke's half.

Stoke came close again in the 51st minute as Krkic swung a free-kick into Arsenal's box. Martinez initially misjudged the flight of the ball but recovered in time to paw it away nervously.

Arsenal's best chance yet came in the 57th minute, Sanchez racing free behind Stoke's defence following a giveaway in Stoke's midfield. Bursting into the box, the Chilean seemed destined to score after rounding defender Ryan Shawcross and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, but his powerful shot rebounded off the near post.

Stoke appeared to take a 4-0 lead in the 65th minute only to see the goal disallowed. Krkic cut inside from the left before finishing low at the near post, but after a delay, referee Anthony Taylor ruled out the strike after Mame Biram Diouf apparently interfered with Martinez.

Michael Regan/Getty Images

The decision would prove pivotal. Two minutes later, Arsenal drew a lifeline as Flamini won a penalty. Diouf was the culprit, tangling legs with the Frenchman just inside the box. Santi Cazorla converted the spot-kick to give Arsenal hope.

Two more minutes later, Arsenal scored again. Moments after Begovic tipped over a Welbeck shot from close range, Aaron Ramsey volleyed in the resulting corner to pull Arsenal within 3-2.

The comeback was well and truly on, but the Gunners suffered another setback in the 78th minute as Chambers received a red card for his second booking, which resulted from a foul on Krkic.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Arsenal kept attacking in search of an equaliser. In the 85th minute, Begovic did well to parry a dipping, long-distance shot by Cazorla. 

But the Gunners were unable to find a third goal in time, having lost momentum after the Chambers' dismissal. In the end, it was another disappointing defeat that will have fans questioning Wenger's stewardship of the club going forward.

Grades

Starting XI	Rating
Substitutes	Rating
Asmir Begovic	7.1
Phil Bardsley	7.4
Ryan Shawcross	6.7
Marc Muniesa	6.4
Erik Pieters	7.1
Steven N'Zonzi	6.2
Geoff Cameron	6.2
Jonathan Walters	8.5
Bojan Krkic	7.9
Mame Biram Diouf	6.4
Peter Crouch	7.3
Glenn Whelan (for Muniesa, 63')	6.1
Charlie Adam (for Diouf, 69')	6.6
Robert Huth (for Krkic, 87')	6.1

Starting XI	Rating
Substitutes	Rating
Emiliano Martinez	6.2
Hector Bellerin	6.7
Calum Chambers	5.6
Per Mertesacker	7.1
Kieran Gibbs	6.8
Mathieu Flamini	7.7
Aaron Ramsey	7.6
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain	7.4
Santi Cazorla	8.2
Alexis Sanchez	7.8
Olivier Giroud	6.1
Danny Welbeck (for Bellerin, 46')	6.9
Lukas Podolski (for Giroud, 63')	6.2
Joel Campbell (for Gibbs, 90')	No rating

Reaction

Stoke manager Mark Hughes (via PremierLeague.com):

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The first half was excellent, to be perfectly honest, and was probably the best 45 minutes that we have played during my time here at the club. I thought we executed our game plan to absolute perfection. We talked about getting the ball into the box with better quality and we managed to do that to quite devastating effect at times.

That was incredibly satisfying from my point of view because we have worked on that a lot in training, so to see it come off in match play is hugely encouraging. Being 3-0 up at half-time isn’t something that occurs too often in the Premier League, so it is quite an unusual situation to be in, especially against a team like Arsenal.

We were conscious of the scars we have from what happened against West Ham several weeks ago, and thankfully we managed to learn from that and see this one through, despite one or two things conspiring against us in the second half.

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (via PremierLeague.com):

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There's a lot of regret, we had given a lot. We showed great energy levels and a great response. The spirit of the team was fantastic. Defensively we missed start of game. We gave easy goals away. We were not decisive in challenges. Once we were 3-0 down, we had a mountain to climb. We did climb, but a bit unlucky I must say.

What goes through the mind at half-time? Everybody is down so you have to pump the team up and make decisions to change what can be changed. It's frustrating to see them lose. There were a lot of positives - defensively we were not strong enough.

Anger doesn't help the team to play well. The players know we missed the start of game. If you come here you have to be on the first ball and have to win the header. We missed the start of the game. We also missed players like Laurent Koscielny—he couldn't play today.

For Stoke, it's their game of the year. They have more animosity against us than other teams. In the future, we have to be prepared for more commitment. We unlock them by winning challenges and showing it from the start.

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