Stoke City against Arsenal

Now Ramsey turns on the edge of the box and fires wide.

Ramsey gives the ball away and Kightly plays a lovely ball to Walters who has a clear sight of goal but his flick was weak and off target.

Well worked down the left by Ramsey and a nice cross. Corner number 12 results.

Another Arsenal corner - their 11th.

Cazorla's corner is met by The Ox but his header is off target. Please, someone, score a goal.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Cazorla goes off and Aaron Ramsey comes on, to some boos from the home fans. Why exactly?

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Palacios replaces Whelan.

Shout for handball against Jenkinson but nothing doing.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Crouch's race is run. He makes way for Ryan Shotton.

Good cross nodded back across goal by Walters, Arteta clears up. At the other end, Walcott crosses well but Whelan clears.

Cazorla works it wide for Gibbs but Begovic claims.

Best chance of the game for Diaby as the ball falls at his feet nine yards out. He takes an age to sort his feet out then squirms a shot wide. Never looked comfortable.

Good opening for Arteta as Giroud holds the ball up but from 20 yards he skews his shot wide.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Walcott and The Ox come on, Gervinho and Podolski depart.

Excellent cross from Kightly - good defending from Vermaelen.

The corner comes to Giroud on the penalty spot but his flying scissor kick bounces into the ground and wide.

Cazorla's latest effort takes a little nick and goes behind for a corner.

A deep cross from Wilkinson and Crouch sticks out a leg but he was never going to get that on target.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Cameron Jerome comes on for Jermaine Pennant.

Arteta smashes a shot against the wall. Poor. This game is not good.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> A deserved yellow for Wilkinson who puts in an awful tackle on Vermaelen. Free kick in a dangerous spot.

Walters barges into Arteta after Stoke had cleared the corner and Arsenal have a free kick.

Podolski's latest cross forces Shawcross to nod behind for a corner.

Decent from Podolski as he crosses from the right but Begovic dives out to claim well.

A very disappointing cross from Kightly when well placed. The quality of the game started off low and has dropped since half time.

Big penalty shout from Stoke. Nothing given but there was a nudge fro the side on Pennant. Risky from Gibbs. Probably the right call.

Cazorla's cross shot rolls out of play. Come on lads, up it.

One good pass from Arsenal in the final third is all it will take for them to score.

Crouch's arm catches Mertesacker. Treatment needed.

A long throw is nodded on by Crouch but Vermaelen clears.

Stoke have to offer more of a threat you feel. Too easy for Arsenal at the back so far.

Nice control from Gervinho this time, the a dragged shot ten yards wide. Time for Walcott? The Ox?

There's practically zero atmosphere in the ground.

Lovely turn from Diaby and a pass to Gervinho who miscontrols then crosses against Giroud and hands Stoke a goal kick. He's been poor.

Pennant's cross is hoofed down field by Vermaelen.

Guess what? Arsenal move neatly towards the penalty area then lose the ball.

We begin again...

A quick bit of half time reading. <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1142968/alex-song:-i-never-wanted-to-leave-arsenal?cc=5739" target="_blank">Alex Song says he didn't want to leave Arsenal and only did so because they wouldn't offer him a new long term deal</a>.

Don't forget, hot on the heels of this match we have a treat from Anfield as Liverpool take on Manchester City. <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=345820&cc=5739" target="_blank">Have a read of our preview here</a>.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0826/jonathanwaltersoffsidegoal20120826_275x155.jpg"><br> Walters' joy was short lived after the offside flag went up

<b>HALF TIME</b> - that is the break. An average half, that Arsenal dominated but Stoke came into it as the half wore on. Hopefully we'll get better after the interval.

Good tackle from Wilkinson on Gervinho. Arsenal corner.

Crouch's shot is blocked after a long ball drops at his feet. Gibbs hacks clear. Throw in time. Wasted.

Cazorla again with a neat pass, this time Giroud wastes a chance to cross from inside the box. Shawcross did well.

Podolski brings the ball away after a nice turn. He feeds Gibbs but Whelan makes a good interception.

Good ball in from Cameron but an equally good clearing header from Jenkinson.

Terrible from Gervinho who has space on the right. He waits and waits, then falls over as the ball rolls out of play for a goal kick. A waste.

Mannone claims the long bomb from Cameron. The away fans enjoyed that one.

Good defending at the near post from Giroud as Pennant delivered.

Podolski clips Pennant and Stoke can load the box. Free kick wide right.

Cazorla delivers a good corner but Stoke are handed a free kick.

Cazorla finds his range and brings a fine save out of Begovic after Arteta was challenged hard by Whelan.

Referee Lee Mason blocks Diaby off and Arsenal surrender possession.

The free kick goes short to Cazorla who drags another poor effort wide from range.

Wilson is late on Cazorla, who makes the most of it. In fairness, the defender trod on his foot.

Vermaelen gets away with a rare error as he nearly presents possession to Crouch.

Stinging shot from Kightly after a rare Stoke break but it is right at Mannone.

Cazorla is the fulcrum again for Arsenal. A very classy player.

Shot on target from Wilkinson after Crouch's flick but it lacked power.

Poor pass from Giroud as Gervinho bursts into the box. Final ball lacking for Arsenal.

Finally Podolski does have a punt on goal but this one was always rising.

More overplaying from Arsenal when Podolski had good possession. He slides it to Cazorla who scuffs a shot on goal.

Arsenal in total control at the moment. Stoke penned in.

Lovely move as Cazorla finds Diaby, he feeds Gibbs but his cross is overhit. Real chance.

A long ball from Cameron looking for Pennant but Gibbs shepherds it out of play.

Wenger patrolling the technical area in his new glasses. Looks like a school girl in a suit.

Two miserable efforts from Cazorla. His first effort hits the wall, his follow doesn't, but goes miles wide.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Huth is carded for barging Podolski off the ball just outside the box. Great opportunity now....

Two chances for Giroud but he got them the wrong way round. He crossed first when he should have shot, then shot when he should have crossed. Neither worked.

Nice move down the left as Gibbs gets a cross into the box, Shawcross hoofs clear.

Podloski gets on the end of a Cazorla cross and nods narrowly over but he, too, was offside.

Walters went down in the middle of that last move. He's not happy but no angle to see what went on.

He blocked it with his hand, the replay shows. Point blank range though. Looked like it was going in as well.

Bit of a calamity for Stoke as Wilkinson trips allowing Podolski to get onto a Giroud pass but even on the floor the full back makes a vital block to prevent Arsenal scoring.

Arsenal yet to get into their stride here. Arteta wastes possession.

Two decent balls into the box - the second is flicked goalwards by Crouch and Walters smashes home but the flag is up.

Giroud looks up for it, barging Whelan off the ball. Huth intercepts a stray pass though.

Cameron throws long into the box in the absence of Delap. Mannone claims as it bounces free in the box.

Two brisk challenges from Stoke, one punished, one not.

Stoke's fans chant "boring, boring," as Arsenal stroke the ball around. Predictable.

<b>KICK OFF</b> - here we go...

Matt Etherington misses out for Stoke. Geoff Cameron comes in for him. Whitehead is suspended and Jermaine Pennant returns. Rory Delap is on the bench.

Wojciech Szczesny is out injured with a rib injury so Vito Mannone starts in goal. The only other change sees Giroud replace Walcott, who is on the bench.

Welcome along one and all. It's Stoke v Arsenal in the 13:30pm kick off today. Any trip to the Britannia for the Gunners seems to chuck up the odd bit of spice so we're all set for a lively affair.

The corner comes to Giroud on the penalty spot but his flying scissor kick bounces into the ground and wide.

Cazorla's latest effort takes a little nick and goes behind for a corner.

A deep cross from Wilkinson and Crouch sticks out a leg but he was never going to get that on target.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Cameron Jerome comes on for Jermaine Pennant.

Arteta smashes a shot against the wall. Poor. This game is not good.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> A deserved yellow for Wilkinson who puts in an awful tackle on Vermaelen. Free kick in a dangerous spot.

Walters barges into Arteta after Stoke had cleared the corner and Arsenal have a free kick.

Podolski's latest cross forces Shawcross to nod behind for a corner.

Decent from Podolski as he crosses from the right but Begovic dives out to claim well.

A very disappointing cross from Kightly when well placed. The quality of the game started off low and has dropped since half time.

Big penalty shout from Stoke. Nothing given but there was a nudge fro the side on Pennant. Risky from Gibbs. Probably the right call.

Cazorla's cross shot rolls out of play. Come on lads, up it.

One good pass from Arsenal in the final third is all it will take for them to score.

Crouch's arm catches Mertesacker. Treatment needed.

A long throw is nodded on by Crouch but Vermaelen clears.

Stoke have to offer more of a threat you feel. Too easy for Arsenal at the back so far.

Nice control from Gervinho this time, the a dragged shot ten yards wide. Time for Walcott? The Ox?

There's practically zero atmosphere in the ground.

Lovely turn from Diaby and a pass to Gervinho who miscontrols then crosses against Giroud and hands Stoke a goal kick. He's been poor.

Pennant's cross is hoofed down field by Vermaelen.

Guess what? Arsenal move neatly towards the penalty area then lose the ball.

We begin again...

A quick bit of half time reading. <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1142968/alex-song:-i-never-wanted-to-leave-arsenal?cc=5739" target="_blank">Alex Song says he didn't want to leave Arsenal and only did so because they wouldn't offer him a new long term deal</a>.

Don't forget, hot on the heels of this match we have a treat from Anfield as Liverpool take on Manchester City. <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=345820&cc=5739" target="_blank">Have a read of our preview here</a>.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2012/0826/jonathanwaltersoffsidegoal20120826_275x155.jpg"><br> Walters' joy was short lived after the offside flag went up

<b>HALF TIME</b> - that is the break. An average half, that Arsenal dominated but Stoke came into it as the half wore on. Hopefully we'll get better after the interval.

Good tackle from Wilkinson on Gervinho. Arsenal corner.

Crouch's shot is blocked after a long ball drops at his feet. Gibbs hacks clear. Throw in time. Wasted.

Cazorla again with a neat pass, this time Giroud wastes a chance to cross from inside the box. Shawcross did well.

Podolski brings the ball away after a nice turn. He feeds Gibbs but Whelan makes a good interception.

Good ball in from Cameron but an equally good clearing header from Jenkinson.

Terrible from Gervinho who has space on the right. He waits and waits, then falls over as the ball rolls out of play for a goal kick. A waste.

Mannone claims the long bomb from Cameron. The away fans enjoyed that one.

Good defending at the near post from Giroud as Pennant delivered.

Podolski clips Pennant and Stoke can load the box. Free kick wide right.

Cazorla delivers a good corner but Stoke are handed a free kick.

Cazorla finds his range and brings a fine save out of Begovic after Arteta was challenged hard by Whelan.

Referee Lee Mason blocks Diaby off and Arsenal surrender possession.

The free kick goes short to Cazorla who drags another poor effort wide from range.

Wilson is late on Cazorla, who makes the most of it. In fairness, the defender trod on his foot.

Vermaelen gets away with a rare error as he nearly presents possession to Crouch.

Stinging shot from Kightly after a rare Stoke break but it is right at Mannone.

Cazorla is the fulcrum again for Arsenal. A very classy player.

Shot on target from Wilkinson after Crouch's flick but it lacked power.

Poor pass from Giroud as Gervinho bursts into the box. Final ball lacking for Arsenal.

Finally Podolski does have a punt on goal but this one was always rising.

More overplaying from Arsenal when Podolski had good possession. He slides it to Cazorla who scuffs a shot on goal.

Arsenal in total control at the moment. Stoke penned in.

Lovely move as Cazorla finds Diaby, he feeds Gibbs but his cross is overhit. Real chance.

A long ball from Cameron looking for Pennant but Gibbs shepherds it out of play.

Wenger patrolling the technical area in his new glasses. Looks like a school girl in a suit.

Two miserable efforts from Cazorla. His first effort hits the wall, his follow doesn't, but goes miles wide.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Huth is carded for barging Podolski off the ball just outside the box. Great opportunity now....

Two chances for Giroud but he got them the wrong way round. He crossed first when he should have shot, then shot when he should have crossed. Neither worked.

Nice move down the left as Gibbs gets a cross into the box, Shawcross hoofs clear.

Podloski gets on the end of a Cazorla cross and nods narrowly over but he, too, was offside.

Walters went down in the middle of that last move. He's not happy but no angle to see what went on.

He blocked it with his hand, the replay shows. Point blank range though. Looked like it was going in as well.

Bit of a calamity for Stoke as Wilkinson trips allowing Podolski to get onto a Giroud pass but even on the floor the full back makes a vital block to prevent Arsenal scoring.

Arsenal yet to get into their stride here. Arteta wastes possession.

Two decent balls into the box - the second is flicked goalwards by Crouch and Walters smashes home but the flag is up.

Giroud looks up for it, barging Whelan off the ball. Huth intercepts a stray pass though.

Cameron throws long into the box in the absence of Delap. Mannone claims as it bounces free in the box.

Two brisk challenges from Stoke, one punished, one not.

Stoke's fans chant "boring, boring," as Arsenal stroke the ball around. Predictable.

<b>KICK OFF</b> - here we go...

Matt Etherington misses out for Stoke. Geoff Cameron comes in for him. Whitehead is suspended and Jermaine Pennant returns. Rory Delap is on the bench.

Wojciech Szczesny is out injured with a rib injury so Vito Mannone starts in goal. The only other change sees Giroud replace Walcott, who is on the bench.

Welcome along one and all. It's Stoke v Arsenal in the 13:30pm kick off today. Any trip to the Britannia for the Gunners seems to chuck up the odd bit of spice so we're all set for a lively affair.