Shkodran Mustafi nods a Stoke corner away - but only so far as Darren Fletcher, whose deflected shot falls to Eric Choupo-Moting inside the box but at a tight angle....

He stabs the ball just wide of the post. Arsenal arms were in the air but Choupo-Moting was onside, no doubt.

Petr Cech tips over the bar as Stoke zoom up the pitch on the counter. Saido Berahino's header had the Arsenal keeper at full stretch.

His search for a goal in red and white continues... Will it be 28 games without finding the net?

Chris Waddle
Ex-Spurs and England winger on 5 live Sport

Stoke are lacking legs in the middle of the park, so Arsenal are dominating the ball and the game.

But the back three, which have become a back five, are holding out very well.

More Arsenal bodies in the Stoke box. The home side have retreated deep now, and Shkodran Mustafi drives wide, delivers into the box, but Aaron Ramsey can only poke tamely at Jack Butland.

It's a chance! No two ways about it.

Danny Welbeck darts into space and rises well but he cannot time his header. It pops out of a pocket between his neck and shoulder, sailing harmlessly over, after an excellent cross from the Arsenal left.

These are all signs though...

Image source, Getty Images

Jack Butland's had a brilliant game so far but he spills this shot from Hector Bellerin - played through by Mesut Ozil's magic pass.

Danny Welbeck was quick to pounce but Butland just manages to paw the ball to safety.

Arsenal are looking much improved.

Oooooh you do see those given.

Aaron Ramsey heads a deep cross back across goal and the awkward bounce pings up onto Kurt Zouma's hands - by his side.

Huge shouts go up in the away end. Nothing doing from the ref...

The familiar furrows returning to Arsenal Wenger's brow.

Erik Pieters is up in Shkodran Mustafi's grill, another loose ball for Stoke to chew on.

Better now though, as Arsenal work it up the pitch. A few one-twos, patiently looking for a chink of light in the Stoke defence.

But the Potters are back in numbers and perhaps the biggest of those - Kurt Zouma - slides in to clear.

Can you imagine a better start to a half than that? Arsenal are still licking their wounds as Stoke pick up the pace now, looking for any mistake in possession, any stray pass, to turn in their favour.

Arsenal finally string a few moves together down the left hand side, before Hector Bellerin plays it too long for Danny Welbeck, who chased it all the same.

Chris Waddle
Ex-Spurs and England winger on 5 live Sport

Xhaka gives the ball away again, having given it away a lot in the first-half.

But give Berahino credit, it's a lovely weighed pass and a great finish.

Jese is a player who knows where it is. You've got to say, great start to the half for Stoke.

Goonerama: Someone tell Xhaka no matter how silky your passing you've still got to concentrate in that deep midfield area, can't lose it there.

Anukram Adhikary: Xhakaneeds to be careful with his lapses and Ozil needs to be interested to play. Avoid giving free-kicks to Stoke.

How long before we see a misplaced pass at the back from Arsenal?

About 40 seconds. Shkodran Mustafi plays it straight to a red and white shirt in the middle.

Here we go!

Back under way, no changes from either side.

Full disclosure: Xherdan Shaqiri, Jese, Bojan, Ibrahim Afellay and Darren Fletcher have all won the Champions League.

Stoke would actually have seven if Marc Muniesa (on loan at Girona) and Marko Arnautovic (sold to West Ham) were still around.

How many have Arsenal got?

Just this man.

Image source, Getty Images

Yep. Somebody said it earlier in the first half. Stoke have got more Champions League winners in their squad than Arsenal. Actually they've got more than any other Premier League team.

It's true. There are five of them living in the Potteries.

Here's one...

Image source, Getty Images

Football Focus

Darren Fletcher: "Obviously I know my place as Ryan (Shawcross) is the captain but we want plenty of leaders in that dressing room and I think that’s when you get a good squad and a good team driving each other forward.

"There’s a lot of experience in there and I think that’s a good thing. I think confrontation, when people voice their opinion, people getting after each other, telling a few home truths, that’s encouraging. It’s a good dressing room.

"Maybe it’s an old school dressing room that might help us at stages this season – as long as people are respectful with it and in the right way. If you want to voice your opinion and you’re doing it for the good of the team then it’s all good for me.

"I’ll still lead. I’ll still set examples, I’ll still drive people, and I’ll still say something if it needs to be said."

Football Focus

Did you catch any of the interview with Stoke midfielder Darren Fletcher at lunchtime today?

Here's a couple of interesting snippets - that weren't broadcast - on life in the Potters' dressing room...

Chris Waddle
Ex-Spurs and England winger on 5 live Sport

Both teams are playing the same system. Arsenal are getting joy dictating the pace and are overrunning Stoke at times.

Arsenal have options in behind with Welbeck and Lacazette while Bellerin and Oxlade-Chamberlain have had joy out wide.

Stoke carry a threat on the counter. It is a good game to watch but I think Arsenal have edged it.

Started very brightly, but it's petered out a bit.

Second-half seven-goal thriller anyone?