Gunners end Emirates drought

Theo Walcott scored Arsenal's first home goal of the season as his side recorded a 2-0 win over bottom club Stoke at the Emirates.

Walcott had been wasteful earlier in the first half but made it count with a well-taken goal just after the half hour mark before Olivier Giroud's header sealed the points.

It was a big relief to get our first home goal and home league win of the season following a 2-0 defeat by West Ham and a goalless draw with Liverpool. It was vital that we took maximum points against the Potters and, although we made hard work of it at times, we did the most important thing and got the result.

We didn't have any problem creating chances but some of the wasted chances will again raise the question as to why manager Arsene Wenger didn't buy another striker in the summer transfer window. Walcott and Giroud getting on the scoresheet bodes well but we need the duo to be doing it on a regular basis if fans are to forgive Wenger's lack of summer spending on outfield players.

At the other end of the field, it was very pleasing to see Arsenal keep a third consecutive clean sheet in the league. What mattered most though was getting the monkey off our backs and to get that all-important home win and we did that.

Arsenal came out the blocks quickly against Stoke and almost took the lead inside the opening three minutes, but Alexis Sanchez's header was tipped onto a post by Jack Butland before Walcott sliced the rebound off target.

The Gunners continued to pile pressure on their opponents in the early stages and Sanchez came close once again when his free-kick was well kept out by Butland.

Arsenal had failed to score in their previous two home league games prior to the Potters' visit and it looked like it could be one of those days again when Sanchez was again denied by a post.

The hosts must have been wondering how on earth the scores were still goalless after the opening 10 minutes but another chance was wasted when Walcott headed over following a great cross from Hector Bellerin.

But it wasn't all down to poor finishing or bad luck with the woodwork as Butland was also in inspired form for the visitors. The 22-year-old became the Potters' number one following Asmir Begovic's summer move to Chelsea and Arsenal were finding it difficult to find a way past him.

Butland did superbly well to tip over Laurent Koscielny's long-range effort before producing a one-handed save to deny Santi Cazorla soon after.

Arsenal finally made the break through with a fine goal from Walcott after 31 minutes. Francis Coquelin won possession back for the Gunners with an excellent tackle before Ozil set-up the England striker with a delightful long-range pass from inside his own half. Walcott still had work to do when he received the ball, shrugging off the attentions of Marc Muniesa before firing a shot low beyond Butland.

Stoke tried to find a way back into the game before the break and came close to levelling when Joselu, who was making his full debut for the, saw his effort saved by Petr Cech.

Cech also denied Xherdan Shaqiri in the second half but it was Arsenal who were still creating the majority of the chances. Fortunately for the Potters, Butland was having a great game between the sticks to keep the score down.

Cazorla and Ozil combined well before the latter saw his close-range strike saved by Butland. The young shot-stopper also reacted quickly to come out and block Walcott's effort, although the England forward really should have been less casual in front of goal. He took his earlier goal well but he could've and maybe have should've had more.

The Gunners really should have put the result beyond doubt sooner as they were creating plenty of chances, but just not being clinical enough in front of goal. How substitute Giroud didn't score almost as soon as he had come off the bench I'll never know. The ball fell kindly for the Frenchman in the box but he dragged his shot wide when it looked easier to score.

Giroud sealed the points and ended hopes of a Stoke comeback when he rose highest to head home his second goal of the season from Cazorla's free-kick.

Arsenal nearly added a third in stoppage time but Butland produced a top class one-handed save to keep out Koscielny's header.

OPPOSITION'S VIEW
Stoke lie at the foot of the table and will have to improve if they are to avoid being involved in a relegation scrap at the business end of the season. Butland's display stole the headlines for the Potters to at least give the Stoke faithful, including Darren Routledge and Debs Graham, some positives to take from the game.

"Going to Arsenal is always the same for Stoke regardless of style or manager, Saturday was no different. It was a no contest from the off," said Routledge.

"Stoke seemed panicked in the opening stages and Arsenal ran freely with speed, one-twos and deft touches as they went full steam for their first home win. The first half possession stats back this up & only Jack Butland's heroics stopped it being a landslide. Stoke improved slightly in the second half but yet again Butland came to the rescue.

"The fact we mustered only one shot on target tells its own story. Our change of style is looking to be going too far the other way, Butland excluded, we are lacking a back bone at the minute. A potential harsh winter is on the cards for Stoke if we are not careful."

Graham added: "I certainly know we've got a gem in Butland as Arsenal should have buried us. People's doubts about losing Bego (Begovic) to Chelsea should be gone now after his showing.

"I know we're bottom of the league but it's early yet & we'll come good. 2-0 loss yesterday is better than last season's 3-0 & we'll be a different team back at the Brit."

MY FINAL THOUGHTS
We got another clean sheet and produced some very positive attacking play in what was a good result. But what remains frustrating is that we are creating so many chances and not putting enough of them away.

I am trying to remain optimistic that Giroud and Walcott can do the business but, like many Arsenal fans, I still wish we had bought a top class centre forward in the summer transfer window. We didn't and we must move on from this fact and focus on backing the team in every game from now until the end of the season.

We switch our attentions to the Champions League with a trip to Dinamo Zagreb next on the agenda. There are no easy games in the Champions League but this really is a game we should be winning comfortably. Maybe, just maybe, it can be a game where Walcott and Giroud score again to boost the duo's confidence and give us a chance of also challenging better in the Premier League. Let's just wait and see what happens.

Our next league outing sees us travel to face champions Chelsea and this is a game I have mixed feeling about. After Wenger ended his Jose Mourinho hoodoo with victory in the Community Shield in August, we proved we can in fact beat this Chelsea team. That game made me feel more optimistic about the first league encounter against them this season. Chelsea's poor start to the campaign has, however, left me unsure with what to think. If Crystal Palace and Everton can beat Chelsea in the league then maybe we can too. They are under performing and this could be a great time to play them. But it could also be a bad time to play them as they are a wounded side keen to put things right as soon as possible, so let's just hope it isn't against us and make sure we prove to them that the Community Shield win was no fluke.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS