Premier League: Stoke City 1 Arsenal 1

Arsenal missed the chance to pull away in third place as they had to rely on Robin van Persie to earn them a point at Stoke.

The home side took the lead early in the game as Peter Crouch headed home a Matthew Etherington cross, but five minutes later van Persie equalised with a simple tap-in following a perfect Tomas Rosicky cross.

The visitors created two good opportunities in the opening eight minutes for Yossi Benayoun and van Persie. The Israeli was released by the Dutchman in the sixth minute but his low shot from inside the penalty area lacked power and Asmir Begovic was able to save with an outstretched left hand.

Two minutes later van Persie had his first sight of goal but he too was denied by Begovic.

Rosicky crossed to the unmarked striker at the back post but the Bosnian keeper made an excellent reaction save.

The Gunners were made to rue those misses in the 10th minute as the home side took the lead with their first attempt on goal.

Etherington delivered right onto the head of Crouch who made no mistake, jumping above his marker and heading into the bottom corner.

However Stoke’s lead lasted just five minutes as Arsenal equalised through van Persie.

Rosicky found more space on the left wing and delivered a lovely cross behind the Stoke defence and the Dutchman had the simple task of tapping it into the net.

After such a bright start to the game the rest of the opening period was fairly uneventful.

Gervinho found himself in some good situations but his final touch let him down, while the Arsenal defence coped well with the dangerous balls put into their penalty area by Jermaine Pennant.

The second half began in lively fashion and five minutes in Arsenal had a great chance to go ahead through can Persie.

A typically neat and flowing move from the Gunners ended up with Bacary Sagna being released down the right wing, his low cross was perfect for the Dutch striker to fire a diving header towards goal but Begovic saved well down to his right.

The home side were struggling to create any chances as the Arsenal defence remained resolute, and despite plenty of effort and desire the clinical final touch eluded them.

Tony Pulis’ decision to introduce Cameron Jerome late in the game for Pennant was met with a few boos from the home crowd but it was nearly a master stroke.

The striker found himself with a clear shot at goal, his effort was on target but Szczesny saved well and Arsenal were able to clear.

The Gunners pushed for a late winner, and even threw Marouane Chamakh up front to support van Persie but Stoke held on for a well-deserved point.