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

Alexis Sanchez produced another outstanding display for Arsenal, as his two goals helped to defeat Stoke City 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The Chile international provided the cross for Laurent Koscielny's second-minute opener as the Gunners aimed to avenge their defeat at the Britannia Stadium last month.

Sanchez then finished beyond the impressive Asmir Begovic in the 33rd minute after great play with Tomas Rosicky.

The Stoke goalkeeper, though, blotted his copybook when he allowed a Sanchez free-kick to squirm beyond him in the 49th minute.

The win lifted Arsenal above local rivals Tottenham into fifth place in the Premier League table, but the victory was soured by a shoulder injury to Mathieu Debuchy in the first half.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger made a surprise switch with David Ospina replacing Wojciech Szczesny in goal, while Mesut Ozil returned to the bench after three months out with an injury alongside Aaron Ramsey, who had been missing for a month.

Stoke manager Mark Hughes handed a debut to new loan signing defender Philipp Wollscheid, who came over from Bayer Leverkusen. There was also a return to the starting XI for Bojan Krkic after two weeks out through injury.

Stoke experienced an early warning when goalkeeper Begovic went full-stretch to turn away a Sanchez curler in the second minute. Three minutes later, Begovic turned away a Rosicky drive, but the subsequent corner saw Arsenal take the lead.

Sanchez's delivery was cleared only as far as the Chile international, and he sent over another perfect cross for Koscielny to head home from six yards out.

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But the Gunners were also forced into an early change when Debuchy picked up a shoulder problem after colliding with an advertising board following a challenge with Marko Arnautovic. Hector Bellerin replaced him in the 13th minute.

Begovic was once more the difference for Stoke when he pushed away an Olivier Giroud strike low to his right after a 20th-minute Sanchez pass.

Ospina made his first save in the 25th minute when Erik Pieters' cross was deflected into a looping ball heading toward goal. It was a comfortable stop, but the Colombian appeared to pick up an injury in the process.

In the 33rd minute, however, Arsenal doubled their lead.

Steven N'Zonzi appeared to have cut out the threat from Sanchez on the left flank but lost possession, which allowed Rosicky to interchange passes with the South American before the Barcelona man beat Begovic at the near post.

Arsenal took their foot off the gas as the half drew to a close, but a close-range Peter Crouch header was enough to alert them that Stoke were not out of the match yet.

At the other end, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain blazed a shot over the crossbar just before the whistle blew.

Hughes made a double switch at half-time, replacing N'Zonzi and Pieters with Marc Muniesa and Steve Sidwell.

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

In the 49th minute, Arsenal were three up when a Sanchez free-kick deflected off the Stoke wall, and Begovic, who had been excellent in the first half, allowed the ball to squirm past him.

Wollscheid had endured a baptism of fire in the first period and was booked early in the second for a foul on Giroud.

There were two quick cautions in succession for Stoke players after the hour mark, with Geoff Cameron and Crouch receiving yellow cards.

Santi Cazorla was a lively presence once more for Arsenal, and he almost produced a sublime fourth for the Gunners when he exchanged passes with Oxlade-Chamberlain before lifting the ball over Begovic but onto the roof of the net.

That was to be the England international's final contribution to the game, as Theo Walcott replaced him in the 68th minute.

Stoke made their final substitution with Stephen Ireland coming on for the ineffective Bojan, while Giroud was replaced by the returning Ozil in the 73rd minute.

Cameron had the ball in the net for Stoke, but his efforts were in vain after an offside call, while Sanchez's decision to free Walcott instead of going for a hat-trick goal backfired when the England international shot wide.

Ospina finally had the chance to make an impact when he got down well in the final minute to deny Ireland.

But the points were already safe long before the end of the match in an impressive performance ahead of the trip to Manchester City next weekend. 

Selected Player Ratings

David Ospina: B

It's difficult to assess his long-term chances of replacing Szczesny, as he was barely troubled in the opening 45 minutes apart from one deflected cross and a save from Crouch. He remained seriously untested during the second period until he saved a Stephen Ireland effort in the 90th minute.

Asmir Begovic: A-

It is little wonder the Stoke goalkeeper is being linked with major European clubs after a tremendous first-half display in which three key saves prevented his team from embarrassment. But he will have been disappointed at his role in Arsenal's third goal.

Tomas Rosicky: A+

Alexis Sanchez will earn the plaudits once more for another sterling display, but Rosicky also enjoyed life in the first team again. He was a persistent threat to Stoke throughout the game and combined well with the Chilean for the Gunners' second goal.

What's Ahead

Arsenal will now focus on the daunting trip to champions Manchester City in the Premier League next Sunday.

Stoke are on the road again next Saturday when they travel to struggling Leicester City in league action.

Post-Match Reaction