Arsenal 2-0 Stoke City: Five Talking Points

Arsenal finally registered their first win at home when they beat Stoke City 2-0 at the Emirates. Goals from strikers Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud gave the Gunners a much needed home-win boost as they look to pose a title challenge.Arsene Wenger's men looked comfortable and dominant in the whole game starting the game on a bright note but failed to make the most of their opportunities scoring just one before half time. However, in the second half, after anxiety creeped in into the Gunners' supporters, Giroud scored a late second goal to seal the win.The Londoners also missed several opportunities to increase the gap between the two sides and were denied on multiple occasions by an in-form Jack Butland in Stoke City’s goal.We look at the five major talking points from the Gunners' victory:

#1 Arsenal finally win at home

Arsenal finally registered their first home win of the season after beating Stoke City with a margin of 2-0 at the Emirates. The Gunners had failed to win the first two home games of the season. The first game was a 2-0 surprise loss to West Ham United on the opening day of the season. Whereas, the second game was a 0-0 draw against Liverpool.

Arsene Wenger again played Theo Walcott as the lone striker, keeping Olivier Giroud on the bench. However, along with Walcott, Giroud also proved his point and scored the much-needed goal which might spur on the Gunners' title charge.

The home side had only won one of their last six games at the Emirates, losing one and drawing the other four. Stoke City visited the Emirates with this fact in mind, hoping to finally get a good result at Arsenal's home ground. Stoke started the game with 7 losses in 7 games at the Emirates. The result puts Arsene Wenger’s side into the top 4 and should inspire the Gunners to keep the momentum going into the coming weeks.

#2 Arsenal assured in defence

Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista have finally started two consecutive games together at the back. The absence of Per Mertesacker due to illness means that Wenger has had to play the French-Brazilian partnership and it seems to be working for the Gunners.

Two games and two clean sheets for the pairing means that the central defensive partnership is working and Gunners’ fans will be hoping that the duo can maintain their form in the coming games. Having produced a stellar show at Newcastle before the international break, the new defensive partnership produced another solid performance against Stoke City.

Arsene Wenger brought in Gabriel in the January transfer window and the Brazilian defender has had limited opportunities. However, he has delivered when he has been needed. Unlike Calum Chambers, who was horrendous in the game against Liverpool. Whereas, the experienced Koscielny has been showing why he is one of the best central defenders in Europe at the moment.

#3 Stoke continue miserable Emirates run

Stoke City have now failed to gain anything out of the eight trips they have made to the Emirates in the Premier League era. The Gunners have been on the winning side on all occasions so far. Arsene Wenger’s men have now scored 20 goals in these eight games and conceded only thrice.

Stoke City, who languish at the bottom of the table after a disappointing result, will be hoping they can change their fortunes and finally get at least a point at the Emirates next season. But as far as the current season is concerned, Arsenal’s home record against the Potters remains intact.

Mark Hughes’ side has now been unable to win any of their first five games of the league season so far and it will be interesting to see how the new players gel in the future.

#4 Both strikers on target for Arsenal

Arsenal have now scored only five goals in the first five Premier League games this season. The good thing, however, for the Gunners is that they have managed to score in two consecutive games and won both of them.

Theo Walcott opened the scoring for the North London side near the half hour mark when Mesut Ozil’s long ball was controlled well by the English striker and hit past Butland in Stoke’s goal. Whereas, Olivier Giroud came off the bench to score his second of the season when Santi Cazorla’s free kick was met by his head. The Arsenal fans have been vocal of their wish to see a new striker at the club, but Arsene Wenger believes that he does not need a new striker. That might be proved right by his strikers if they continue to score in the coming weeks.

The problem the Gunners have faced is that they have failed to finish off their opportunities. Arsenal have the worst conversion record in the division at the moment. They again failed to convert chances against Stoke and only managed a late second goal to clinch the victory. Arsenal had attempted a total of 29 shots, but only managed to score two goals. The goals will come for the Gunners, they just need to be patient and convert the chances.

#5 Stoke City look disjointed

The Potters have signed good quality players this transfer window. But the fact that they are languishing at the bottom of the table means that Mark Hughes’ side have failed to form an understanding and produce what they are capable of. The manager will be looking to get the group of players to train with each other and create a rapport between each other soon.

In the Premier League, there is no room for error and if the Potters take a lot of time to get started then it might cause them problems come the end of the season. However, Stoke have always been slow starters and Mark Hughes will be expecting the likes of Afellay, Bojan, and Shaqiri to deliver when it matters.

Stoke City looked rusty and clumsy in defense. Hughes’ side will be expected to limit the errors in the coming weeks and produce the kind of performances they are expected to make.