Stoke City survived a late Arsenal comeback to continue their impressive recent home form against the Gunners with a 3-2 victory at the Britannia Stadium this afternoon.
The hosts made a dream start to the contest when Peter Crouch capitalised on some sloppy defending inside the opening 20 seconds to give his side an early lead.
Bojan was on hand to convert goal number two from close range, before Jonathan Walters put Stoke well in command heading into the break.
Arsenal sparked a revival in the second half with Santi Cazorla's penalty being followed up by Aaron Ramsey's volley 20 minutes from time, but a red card issued to Calum Chambers ended any hopes of a dramatic recovery.
Here, Sports Mole takes a look back at who impressed during the entertaining 90 minutes of action.
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STOKE CITY
Goal
Asmir Begovic: Had to turn behind a couple of strikes on goal, but this was not his most difficult afternoon. Perhaps could have done better to have kept out Ramsey's second-half volley, although he had plenty of bodies between him and the ball when it was struck. Almost kept out Cazorla's penalty, too, having guessed the right way. (7/10)
Defence
Phil Bardsley: Got forward at any given opportunity, swinging in a couple of decent crosses and even getting a shot in at goal himself. (8/10)
Ryan Shawcross: Was unable to help improve his side's record of just two clean sheets all campaign, but he will be happy enough with his showing having pushed his side towards all three points. (7/10)
Marc Muniesa: A yellow card picked up in the first half did not help the returning Potters defender, although he looked stable enough in attack as well as defence before being withdrawn. His charge up the field, which drew a couple of unsuccessful tackles from the opposition, led to huge roars of "OLE!" from the home fans. (7/10)
Erik Pieters: Looked to have caught Arsenal out on a couple of occasions high up the pitch, only for covering players to help out. Did well to help stretch the play for his side. (8/10)
Midfield
Steven N'Zonzi: Could not add to his goal tally following that sensational strike against Manchester United last time out, although he remained solid to help build attacks for the hosts. Moved into a wide position to create a big chance for Diouf in the second half. (7/10)
Geoff Cameron: Much like the majority of his teammates, the performance levels seemed to drop in the final 20 minutes as it was a case of doing anything to stop the Gunners adding a third. Should have done better with a first-half chance when he opted to shoot rather than pass. (7/10)
Bojan: A man-of-the-match showing from the former Barcelona man for the second week in succession. His display against Liverpool last weekend was not rewarded with three points, however, which will make this victory even more special. Whether it was on the right, left or through the middle, Bojan seemed to be involved in every move and even bagged a goal. (9/10)
Mame Biram Diouf: A mixed afternoon for the summer purchase, who forced Martinez into a couple of saves but also cost his side a fourth by standing in an offside position - or so the officials believed - when Bojan's shot was struck. Also conceded a penalty to cap a bad couple of minutes, which led to his substitution. (6/10)
Jonathan Walters: The Irishman's importance to this Stoke team should not be played down. He has now been involved in six of his side's last seven goals, while at the same time adding to his personal tally against the Gunners following a penalty, which is how he won this fixture last season. (8/10)
Attack
Peter Crouch: A surprising inclusion in the starting lineup considering that he had featured for just 45 minutes in City's last five outings before this one, yet it was his presence which proved Arsenal's undoing. They could not handle him at times, with his strike in the opening minute setting the tone for the afternoon. (9/10)
Substitutes
Robert Huth: A welcome return for the popular centre-back, who featured for three minutes at the end of this contest as he closes in on a starting spot. (6/10)
Glenn Whelan: Brought on in place of Muniesa to add some extra legs, although, 10 minutes after being introduced, it was a completely different game with the scoreline now at 3-2. (6/10)
Charlie Adam: Introduced to shore up the middle of the park and shut Arsenal out by any means necessary, which was best summed up by his challenge on Sanchez, which led to a caution. (6/10)
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ARSENAL
Goal
Emilliano Martinez: The third-choice keeper has looked very commanding between the sticks in recent weeks, keeping three clean sheets in his last three outings. However, the early goal clearly knocked his confidence and Wojciech Szczesny will now likely return in midweek. (6/10)
Defence
Hector Bellerin: Brought into the fold this afternoon due to injuries in the backline, it was the teenager's slip which led to the opening goal from the boot of Crouch. Did not get much better for him before being replaced at half time, although he did create a great chance for Giroud. (5/10)
Per Mertesacker: The Gunners have looked so assured at the back in recent weeks, with those aforementioned successive clean sheets, but they fell apart on numerous occasions today. A large part of that is surely down the the absence of Laurent Koscielny - who is still not back to full fitness - in the heart of defence. (6/10)
Calum Chambers: One aspect lacking from Arsenal's game at the Britnnia Stadium was crosses worked from wide positions, which is largely down to Chambers being shifted inside to centre-back. A bad game was made worse when his challenge late on earned him a second yellow card and subsequent dismissal. (5/10)
Kieran Gibbs: Not the greatest afternoon for the Englishman, who was today celebrating his 100th Premier League appearance. Gave Walters far too much space to work in a cross for the second Stoke goal, and did not offer enough width in an attacking sense. (5/10)
Midfield
Mathieu Flamini: Failed in his duty to hold off attacking moves from the home team in the first half, with his side three down at the break. Shifted to full-back in the second half and it was down to him being in the box which led to the penalty which kickstarted Arsenal's unlikely comeback effort. (7/10)
Aaron Ramsey: For so long, in what is the darkest of fixtures for the Welshman following his horrific leg break a few years back, this looked to be another occasion which was going to pass him by. His sweetly-struck volley gave his side further hope, though, making it a goal and an assist in his last two outings. He may just be returning to his best form. (7/10)
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Was afforded a full 90 minutes of action this afternoon, but did not do a great deal with it. He was one of the Gunners' more livelier players, although that pretty much says it all. (6/10)
Santi Cazorla: Scored from the spot and forced Begovic into making a big save late on to go with his earlier near miss. Not his finest game, yet he did try his best to make things happen. (7/10)
Alexis Sanchez: A fairly promising opening to the match soon faded into what was surely the Chilean's worst game in an Arsenal shirt. Whether it was failing to beat the first man at a corner, striking the post with an empty net to tap into, or taking a foul throw to relieve the pressure on the opposition, this was certainly not his finest outing. (6/10)
Attack
Olivier Giroud: Really should have found the net with his back-post header when left unmarked with the score still at 1-0, but he squandered the chance on his return to the starting lineup. Replaced in the second half, having forced Begovic into making just one stop. (5/10)
Substitutes
Lukas Podolski: The Germany international got his standard run-out this afternoon, albeit for 25 minutes rather than just the last few moments of a game. Could not make an impact, with his days surely numbered at the Emirates. (5/10)
Joel Campbell: Likewise, Campbell will more than likely leave London in the New Year, with just a couple of minutes here at the end clearly not enough time for him to send a message to the manager. (5/10)
Danny Welbeck: Was brought on at half time in place of Bellerin, having been overlooked from the start. He was the visiting side's best player in the second half, quickly upping the tempo, but was ultimately unable to find the net himself. (7/10)
Daniel Lewis
