Stoke City 0-0 Arsenal: 5 Talking Points

Arsenal secured their second draw in two away games as they were held to a goalless draw at the Britannia Stadium by a determined Stoke City side. Arsene Wenger’s men have traditionally struggled to get past Stoke at this venue, but still managed to get a point where many top sides have lost. With this draw the Gunners move to the top of the table with 44 points from 22 games, ahead of Leicester City only on goal difference and one point ahead of rivals Manchester City. Here are the major talking points from the hard-fought game.

#1 Petr Cech - Arsenal\'s most effective signing in recent years

Petr Cech arrived at Arsenal from Chelsea at the beginning of this season and cost Arsene Wenger £10.9 million. He was the only player signed by the Gunners in the summer, a move that saw a huge debate among the fans.

But that one transfer is proving to be the most sensible decision Wenger has taken in the past few years. After coming to Arsenal, the Czech international has broken the clean sheet record in the Premier League surpassing David James’ record of 169 cleansheets and he has kept 10 cleansheets for the Gunners in 22 Premier League games.

On the night, the Czech international was in prime form, making saves from point blank range to deny the Potters any chance to score. He was very alert inside the box which led to Arsenal keeping a grip on the game – the highlight being a double save to deny Mark Hughes’s side on a counter-attack.

Joselu, who had scored twice and assisted once in his last three league appearances for Stoke, saw all four of his attempts on goal saved by Cech. The goalkeeper rightfully walked away with the Man of the Match award.

#2 Jack Butland might even be better than Joe Hart

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud had scored 10 goals in his last 10 away matches for Arsenal to silence his critics, but the Frenchman was unable to add to his tally due to the brilliance of Jack Butland. The Stoke goalkeeper was excellent in coming through and stopping Giroud’s first shot on target. The Englishman thwarted the striker in the 21st minute, as the shot-stopper spread himself to make the save.

Butland showed why he must be part of Roy Hodgson’s squad for Euro 2016 in the summer and maybe even ahead of Joe Hart in the pecking order.

Shortly after the break he made a fantastic one-handed save to deny Giroud from scoring with a free header from a corner kick. The 22-year old also made a fine save from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s curled effort which was bound for goal in the first half.

Butland came off his line well on two occasions and also commanded the box with superiority throughout. And he might be on his way to the Euros as the England number one if he continues to perform this way.

#3 Arsenal missed Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez

Watching the match vs. Stoke! Hopefully I'll be back well for the next match. But for now: COME ON YOU GUNNERS pic.twitter.com/vrS8ncBieJ

— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) January 17, 2016

Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez are two talismanic players in the Gunners’ ranks. The former was ruled out before the game at the Britannia with a minor leg injury but it is safe to say that Arsenal have survived much better than expected in the sustained absence of Alexis Sanchez, having won seven of their last 10 across all competitions since the world-class forward picked up an injury against Norwich City in November.

But on the day, Arsenal were without the German magician Ozil and his presence was missed far more considerably as the visitors recorded just eight efforts on goal and made only six key passes. With the injuries to key players, the visitors also missed playmaker Santi Cazorla, so perhaps an overall lack of creativity throughout the starting XI was the true cause of the Gunners’ lack of cutting edge in the middle and final third.

But the scoreless draw showed how opinions are starting to change regarding the two most expensive signings in Arsenal’s history. Before this season, Sanchez was seen as the indisputable talisman. Now, however, Ozil appears to be carrying that mantle.

#4 Stoke City still play a physical game

Former Stoke manager Tony Pulis had brought a physical sort of game to the Potters when he was incharge of the club. He focussed on defending well and terrorising teams with fierce tackles, helped by the provoking crowd. But when current manager Mark Hughes took the helm in the summer of 2013, he transformed Stoke into a much more expansive side compared to the sides that played under Tony Pulis.

Under Hughes, the Potters have been all about gritty football and direct attacks, whilst Marko Arnautovic, Xherdan Shaqiri and Bojan have provided an element of tiki-taka to the their efforts going forward.

Against Arsenal though, just like last season, Stoke showed that they can still revert to their more traditional physicality if necessary. They boast a strong record against the Gunners with Arsenal not having won at the Britannia since 2010.

Jonathan Walters, Glen Whelan and Ryan Shawcross made up for Stoke’s key physical players who haunt the opposing teams’ players throughout the game. It was exactly what we should expect from Stoke at home – playing a direct and physical game against teams who focus on keeping the ball on the ground.

#5 Stoke City fans abuse Aaron Ramsey and Arsene Wenger

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey made his 250th appearance for the Gunners when he travelled to the venue where he had suffered a fracture in his leg back in February 2010. The Welsh midfielder’s misery that day was caused by Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross.

A crunching challenge on Ramsey had threatened the Welsh international’s career as he was out for nine months with the injury. Ramsey had shattered his tibia and fibula after a tackle from the Stoke defender.

So when the two teams took field on Sunday evening, the Stoke City faithful seemed so inconsiderate to Ramsey as they booed him throughout the 90 minutes whenever the midfielder would get a touch of the ball. They were even heard singing a disgraceful “Aaron Ramsey, he walks with a limp” referring to the horror tackle.

The Stoke crowd was even booing Arsene Wenger’s when his name was announced. During the game, however, Wenger was again subject to abuse from the home crowd. Friendly, competitive banter should exist in the game, but such torture on the opponents is acceptable, and Stoke fans should be ashamed of themselves.