Arsenal moved to the to the top of the Premier League after coming from behind to defeat Stoke 3-1 at the Emirates yesterday.
Wenger made a lot of changes to the side that beat Basel 4-1 on Tuesday. Pete Cech, Shkodran Mustafi, Nacho Monreal, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Francis Coquelin and Theo Walcott returned to the starting XI. Others included Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Granit Xhaka, Gabriel and stand-in captain Lauret Koscielny.
The Gunners were dealt a heavy blow when Mustafi picked up a hamstring and was replaced by Hector Bellerin in the 24th. Gabriel had to move to the centre.
The visitors opened in the 27th minute after Lee Mason awarded a penalty against Xhaka after his elbow caught Joe Allen in the box. Charlie Adam stepped up and gave Stoke the lead.
The both sides had opportunities to score but it was Arsenal who equalized before the break. Alexis sent Bellerin free on the right, his low cross was poked in by Theo Walcott for his 10th goal of the season, his 50th Emirates goal and 100th in the Premier League.
After the break, Arsenal took the lead in the 50th minute. Chamberlain lofted a cross behind the Stoke defence, Ozil ran in and looped a header over the keeper and into the net.
Alex Iwobi came off the bench and extended the lead for the Gunners in the 75th minute. The referee waved play on when Alexis was tripped on the edge of the box, but Iwobi continued and grabbed his second of the season.
A hard earned win for the Gunners on a day Manchester City were beaten 4-2 at the King Power stadium. Pepperish lesson for Pep.
The Gunners remain top at least till Chelsea play today.
SoccerGunz 