Stoke beat Arsenal 1-0 in the Premier League on Saturday, Aug. 19. Here are all the highlights from the match.
Stoke’s new signing, former Real Madrid man Jese, scored a second-half goal to give the Potters a rousing 1-0 win against Arsenal at the redeveloped Britannia Stadium on Saturday. The Stoke-Arsenal rivalry has lost some of its edge in the Mark Hughes years, but the two sides played out a high-energy, occasionally feisty match, ending in a Stoke victory for old time’s sake.
Arsenal were the better side in the first half, but were perhaps a little more open at the back than they would’ve liked. Jese and Xherdan Shaqiri both looked dangerous early on, before the latter was forced off with an injury, but Ryan Shawcross had the Potters’ best chance of the half, heading over from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s cross.
But it was an indication of Arsenal’s dominance that Jack Butland was Stoke’s standout player. The keeper made important saves from Aaron Ramsey and Danny Welbeck in the first half and stifled several more opportunities with his speed off his line and confidence in the air.
The Gunners also had a good shout for a penalty turned down as Biram Diouf, playing at right wing-back, brought down Hector Bellerin in the box. Diouf appeared to slip as he attempted to tackle the Spaniard, but there was definitely contact.
Stoke took the lead early in the second half, Jese combining well with Saido Berahino before finishing confidently past Petr Cech, but were forced onto the back foot after that. Arsenal were again on the wrong end of some questionable officiating, as Alexandre Lacazette’s 72nd minute strike was ruled out for offside, despite replays showing he was level with the last man.
While the Gunners dominated possession and territory, particularly after going a goal down, and were a little unlucky with a couple refereeing decisions, they were hardly rampant, and struggled to created clear cut chances. They’ll recover, no doubt, but a wild 4-3 win and an unlucky(ish) 1-0 loss is surely not how Arsene Wenger hoped his side would start the season.
Next: Premier League 2017-18 season preview
Highlights
The loss leaves Arsenal in 11th place, while Stoke move up to 13th after their first win of the season.