Although this Arsenal away game at Stoke City got off to a fast start and was quite good to watch, for the neutral as they say, there was a general lack of sharpness and quality from the Gunners in the first half and at times it gave the home side an easy task to press us and enjoy quite a lot of possession and create their fair share of chances.
We did have the better chances in a goalless first half, with Welbeck breaking into the left of the box to latch onto a diagonal ball but his shot was straight at Butland. The Stoke stopper had to be at his best a bit later when Ramsey almost finished a vcery similar move on the other side of the goal but that was about as good as it got for Arsenal in an attacking sense.
There was a penalty shout for handball but it looked accidental and another for a clumsy tackle that looked unlikely until you saw the replay which suggested we should have had it.
We were guilty of some sloppy play and passes went awry way too often, so Arsene Wenger was not looking too pleased and would have asked for a lot more after the break. Instead we did the same thing as last weekend and came out half asleep. Stoke pounced on a sloppy midfield ball and without any hint of a challenge from Mustafi or Monreal Jese received the ball and sloted past Cech.
After that it was all Arsenal and plenty of chances came and went, including another handball call like one in the first half. So many good shooting chances were blocked but the main reason for Arsenal frustration, however, was the offside decision to deny Lacazette a second EPL goal that was shown to be level.
Right at the death Giroud had a chance for another super sub goal but he blew it and planted his header well wide. That was that Gooners. A bit unlucky but not good enough once again.
Bob.