Theo Walcott has given Arsenal a 1-0 half-time lead against Stoke City at the Emirates Stadium.
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The Gunners should have taken the lead after just three minutes but after a header from Alexis Sanchez was saved by Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland, Walcott could only blaze the rebound wide of the post from three yards.
Moments later, another chance went Arsenal's way, but the post was Stoke's saviour on this occasion after Sanchez had beaten Butland with a low drive.
After initially finding themselves camped inside their own half, Stoke finally settled into the match but on 31 minutes, Arsenal edged in front through Walcott, who sprinted onto a through-ball from Mesut Ozil before applying a cool finish past Butland.
The visitors responded well to record their first shot on target, but Joselu's effort was never troubling Petr Cech in the Arsenal goal.
Stoke continued to improve during the final 10 minutes of the half, and boss Mark Hughes will be relatively content that they made the break facing just the one-goal deficit.
Darren Plant
