A mix-up at the back for Stoke forces an Arsenal corner. It's cleared to the edge, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain floats it back in, over the back line looking for Aaron Ramsey, but Jack Butland dives bravely to punch clear.

He really has had a very good half, the Stoke keeper.

Image source, Reuters

Petr Cech scrambles up to punch clear.

Then he takes the next high ball in cleanly.

A quick throw sets Hector Bellerin off down the left, but Stoke are quick to cover back.

TWO minutes added on.

Darren Fletcher lines up another deep free-kick...

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

If Stoke can get at the back three of Arsenal, they're not the best defensively.

But Stoke are playing so deep that can't get at them.

Sead Kolasinac plays it straight to Darren Fletcher now. Some seriously wayward passing at the back from Arsenal.

It comes to naught but still. Arsene Wenger will not be best pleased with the end of this half. Mark Hughes will reckon the Gunners are there for the taking.

Now Mame Biram Diouf is down getting treatment. The Stoke man seems to have picked up a knock from a sliding challenge by Hector Bellerin - a tackle that stopped Diouf's surging run into the Arsenal half. A fair one too.

Diouf looks to be OK. He's coming back on.

Granit Xhaka gives the ball away again!

Jese plays in the overlapping Joe Allen, who turns away from goal with Petr Cech breathing down his neck.

Allen shapes to shoot from the edge of the box but it's blocked and for now the danger seems to have passed for Arsenal.

All danger of their own making.

Image source, Getty Images

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

Arsenal have been the better side. Stoke are being overrun in midfield. Ozil, Ramsey and Xhaka seem to outnumber Allen and Fletcher in midfield all of the time.

The heavens open over Stoke. The rain is pouring. We were spoiled by the game's earlier brightness.

Hopefully this will lift again before half-time? About seven minutes to play...

Mat VP: How very Arsenal of us to be giving Stoke practice at free kicks around our box until they get one right!

Henry: Stoke playing Arsenal football better than Arsenal. Lovely link up play from Mark Hughes side in the first half so far.

Noel Fitzpatrick: Would like to see Lacazette push up further. Welbeck et al delivering fantastic balls into the box but no one in there?

A poor touch from Granit Xhaka lets Joe Allen in, but his pass looking for Jese is an equally bad one.

Mesut Ozil now darts into space between the Stoke midfield and defence, trying to inject something of Arsenal's earlier verve.

Xhaka drills a long shot, easily gathered by Jack Butland, who has been excellent so far today.

Eddie: Lacazette barely getting a touch of the ball at the moment. Game more suited for Giroud.

Rezza Sait: Why does Wenger play two wing backs in the three man defense? Give Holding a run of games until Koscielny comes back

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

That is a free header for Shawcross. He has just got to hit the target. It is a poor effort.

...Flicked on by Mame Biram Diouf, but Arsenal manage to scramble clear.

Diouf then delivers a long throw in the box, it comes back to Eric Choupo-Moting, and from his cross Ryan Shawcross heads wildly over the bar. That's a poor effort.

Image source, Reuters

Stoke free-kick down the other end now. Wide on the right wing. Darren Fletcher to deliver.

The entire Arsenal XI is back behind the ball. But Fletcher's cross is too deep, too long.

Luckily for Stoke, Granit Xhaka is in a generous mood. He commits a foul on the opposite wing so here we go again...

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

No-one picked Ramsey up. Great save Butland.

Collective disbelief sweeps around the stands as Ryan Shawcross is penalised for a 50-50 with Hector Bellerin.

Mesut Ozil drifts the free-kick to the far post...

Great save from Jack Butland - spreading himself in a star to block from Aaron Ramsey.

Image source, Reuters

Jay: That Jese fella looks like a good signing for Stoke.

Sir Fabian Pavez: So Stoke have three Champions League medals on that pitch tonight while Arsenal have one.

Image source, Rex Features

Yep indeed. Saido Berahino is coming on for Xherdan Shaqiri. He's done.

Twenty-seven Premier League games without a goal, Berahino. Yet to score for Stoke in the top flight.

Image source, Reuters

Alexandre Lacazette knocks through for Danny Welbeck - so quick to spot a through ball - but Jack Butland rushes out to boot away into the safety of the stands.

Xherdan Shaqiri is down. He's getting treatment. Hamstring is it? He is hobbling off...