Stoke City 1 - 4 Arsenal

We boosted our hopes of securing a top-four place with a fine performance at Stoke on Saturday as we cruised to a comfortable win in the Potteries.

 

This was a hugely impressive display; professional, incisive and ruthless against opponents who have caused us no end of trouble at this ground in years gone by.

 

But right from the off this felt different. We controlled the opening exchanges, saw Shkodran Mustafi and then Nacho Monreal go close and continued to knock on the door.

 

We finally had our reward just before the interval when Olivier Giroud converted from close range, and added to our lead after the restart through Mesut Ozil’s beautiful strike.

 

Stoke got their way back into the game via the hand of Peter Crouch and suddenly it was game on – and the hoem crowd certainly knew it.

 

But Alexis silenced them with a goal that arrowed into the bottom corner, before Giroud made it four not long afterwards as we recorded our best-ever away win at this ground.

 

It was no more than we deserved – and beyond the confidence boost this result will provide, it also helps up the pressure on Liverpool in the race for a top-four place.

 

Our fate may not be in our hands, but we are doing everything we can to secure Champions League football for yet another season.

News by Arsenal.com 
http://www.arsenal.com/match/report/1617/post/first-team/stoke-city-1-4-arsenal-match-report#hZG4vab7PI5LAruY.99