Stalemate sends Gunners top

In some ways it was another frustrating two points dropped but Stoke is never an easy place to go so a goalless draw really isn't that bad.

The Potters had already beaten Chelsea and both Manchester clubs at the Britannia this season so, with Arsene Wenger going into the game with just one win from his previous eight trips to Stoke, it is actually a fairly decent point.

It is a shame we couldn't win to have a bigger points gap between us and our other title rivals but a draw was still enough to send us back to the top of the Premier League table. Only goal difference separates us from Leicester, while Manchester City trail by just one point. But whether it's by goal difference, a point, three points or 10 point, we are top of the pile and that's what matters.

It would've been good to see new signing Mohamed Elneny get some game time off the bench after his recent move from FC Basel, but this was definitely a game in which we couldn't take any silly risks as we were playing a side, who are a bogey team for us.

With both goalkeepers - Stoke's Jack Butland and our very own Petr Cech - producing excellent performances it was no wonder that the game ended in a stalemate.

Marko Arnautovic and Ibrahim Afellay both sent shots off target for Stoke before Butland made a vital save to keep the scores level after 20 minutes. Joel Campbell's fine through ball found Olivier Giroud in the box, but Butland reacted quickly to spread himself well and block the French striker's shot.

Butland was called into action again shortly before the hour mark, this time showing great reflexes to tip Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's curling effort over the bar. From the resulting corner the Ox had another go, but his own team-mate Laurent Koscielny got in the way and deflected the shot wide.

Stoke were also creating chances as Cech comfortably saved Joselu's header before Bojan shot wide as the score remained goalless going in at the break.

Arsenal almost broke the deadlock within a minute of the restart but Butland produced a spectacular one-handed save to tip Giroud's powerful header wide for a corner.

The Gunners had a penalty appeal turned down soon after when Philipp Wollscheid appeared to pull back Theo Walcott's arm. Nothing was given and, although it did seem to be a foul it was clearly outside the box anyway.

At the other end Cech continued to prove his worth and his double save kept the Gunners in the game. The Arsenal number one denied Joselu with a one-handed save before reacting quickly to divert Bojan's wide for a corner. Cech was soon called into action again as he parried Joselu's shot from the edge of the box.

Stoke then had a penalty appeal turned after an alleged handball from Campbell. It would've been harsh if it had been given as Campbell really couldn't have done much about it.

Campbell was also in the thick of the action at the other end and, with five minutes remaining, the Costa Rican curled a shot off target. Stoke also pushed forward in the closing minutes and Koscielny managed to get in the way to head Glenn Whelan's long-range strike over for a corner. The Potters very nearly broke Arsenal hearts from the resulting corner but, fortunately for the Gunners, Cech once again came to the rescue. Jon Walters header was cleared off the line by Aaron Ramsey before Cech stretched out his foot to deny Joselu from the rebound.

The game ended all square and a draw seemed to be a fair result for both sides but Arsenal will need to be more ruthless in the final third if they are to continue their push for the title.

OPPOSITION VIEW
Stoke fan Debs Graham felt it was a fair result in which the goalkeepers had been the stars of the show.

"I really thought you'd beat us this year but both of us had different keepers this season and they certainly showed they're both top class," said Graham. "We both had spells in the game of dominating and chances to score.

"I was wondering if we'd sneak a late one but unfortunately not. It would probably have been unfair if we'd snatched it at the end.

"We had more chances on goal but Arsenal edged possession.

"I'm happy we're on 33pts now but the next few weeks are hard. Leicester away then the Capital One Cup semi second leg. Then away in the FA Cup to Palace and back to the league for United away and Everton at home."

MY FINAL THOUGHTS
It really was a mixed result. I can agree with my fellow Arsenal fans who are annoyed we didn't win, but I can also relate to those that think it is a decent point at a ground we have traditionally struggled.

Before the Liverpool and Stoke games, my honest feeling was that I'd be happy with four points from six. Instead we have taken just two points. Yes, it was against two very tough sides away from home but if we are to stay above Leicester and Manchester City we need to turn these draws into wins.

It doesn't get any easier either as next up is a home game against champions Chelsea. If anyone had said to me at the start of the season that we would go into that game top of the table and 19 points clear of Chelsea, I wouldn't have believed them, so things are certainly looking positive. However, we must make sure we don't underestimate our opponents. Regardless of the fact they are having a shambolic season, Chelsea still have an excellent squad and we will need to be at the top of our game if we want to beat them in the clash at the Emirates.

The next three games in all competitions, including the match with Chelsea, are all at home so we need to make sure we go out there and make it count.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS