Arsenal failed to beat Stoke away from home for the sixth
straight game but a 0-0 draw took them top of the Premier League.
It was a game where
both goalkeepers shone as Jack Butland denied Olivier Giroud with two smart
saves either side of the break before Petr Cech stood strong in the second
period.
Stoke have now lost
just one of their eight league games at the Britannia Stadium against Arsenal,
who jump above Leicester City in the table but only on goal difference.
Arsene Wenger's
side missed the creativity of Mesut Ozil, who was injured, but had chances to
win the game only to be denied by Jack Butland.
The England
goalkeeper tipped over Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's long-range strike, before
denying Olivier Giroud's header.
Stoke finished
strongly as Jon Walters had a late header cleared off the line by Aaron Ramsey.
Arsenal have
started 2016 well poised to challenge for a first league title in 12 years, and
key to their impressive form this season has been Ozil.
The German tops
the Premier League assist chart with 16, so his absence on Sunday because of a
foot injury was undoubtedly a big blow for the Gunners.
It did, however,
provided Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with the chance to step up.
He certainly
looked like he had a point to prove, forcing Butland into a fine one-handed
save with a curling strike midway through the first half.
However, he was
also guilty of losing possession at times and became increasingly anonymous as
the game wore on.
If he is to
prove himself an able deputy for Ozil, he will need to a show a lot more than
he did on Sunday.
Arsenal may
never get as good a chance to win the league as they will this season, with the
challenge from their traditional title rivals faltering.
Arsene Wenger's
side had lost just once in the eight games prior to the trip to Stoke, but
Gunners fans might have been forgiven for feeling a little uneasy about their
recent away form - they have now picked up just six points from a possible 18.
Arsenal were
looking for their first win at the Britannia Stadium since 2010, so a victory
at Stoke - especially without their talisman Ozil - would certainly underline
their credentials as genuine title contenders.
In the opening
stages of the game, however, they were second best, struggling to match Stoke's
neat passing.
They improved as
the game wore on, but not by much. Giroud's header - well saved by Butland -
was their only effort on target in the second half.
Stoke's
attacking talent has, quite rightly, been getting plenty of praise this season
but Butland has been just as impressive in the Potters' goal.
His total of 81
is more saves than any other goalkeeper has made in the Premier League this
season and he was key to Stoke's frustrating of Arsenal.
His saves from
Oxlade-Chamberlain and Giroud kept his side in the game, allowing them to press
in the closing stages as the visitors retreated, opting to protect the point.
As a
consequence, Stoke could have snatched all three points just before full-time,
but Walters' header from a corner was kept out by Ramsey, before Petr Cech
blocked Joselu's follow-up.
Stoke
manager Mark Hughes, talking to BBC Sport: "It was
a game between evenly matched sides. Both teams approached the game in the
right manner and created chances. All-in-all we're pleased. It shows our
progress. Teams have found it difficult to get points here.
"We
are showing everyone we have belief in our ability. There was a period where
Arsenal had some play around the box without creating too much. It was a
similar story at the other end.
"It was a competitive game.
At times, there were good opportunities to put the ball in the box and so
the only criticism I would have is that we were reluctant to do that."
Arsenal
boss Arsene Wenger, speaking to BBC Sport: “Maybe we
had a better opportunities to score, they played very well, very physical
and were very direct, which is an unusual style for them.
"We
needed to be strong physically and had a great spirit, we fought very
hard but couldn't take our chances. It is a hard fought 0-0. We have done
better than years before at this ground and showed we can fight even when we
miss certain players.
"Petr Cech was outstanding,
we needed a player like him in the air when Stoke played that kind of
game."
