Arsenal leapfrogged Tottenham into third place in the Premier
League with a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Stoke.
Andrey Arshavin, who was by far the Gunners' best player, slotted
home from a tight angle in the first half minutes after Cesc Fabregas
had missed a penalty on his 250th appearance for the club.
After a largely frustrating second half, impressive substitute
Aaron Ramsey sealed the win with a cool finish 10 minutes from time.
With Robin van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott out injured,
Arsene Wenger's options up front were further reduced by the late
withdrawal of Eduardo, who was left out with a "minor muscular
problem".
Arshavin spearheaded the Gunners attack in a line-up that included
eight changes from the 3-0 defeat at Manchester City in midweek
while Fabregas captained the Arsenal side in Wenger's 100th league
game in charge.
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