Welcome to live text commentary of Arsenal's Premier League encounter with Stoke City at the Emirates Stadium.

Whelan goes route one looking for Crouch, and Sagna is almost bested going for that one.

Ah, but that was nice. Good touch from Monreal to control, burst of pace, then a quick pass down the left to Oxlade-Chamberlain. The cross is to the back post and wins a corner.

The upshot of the first 22 minutes is we've not seen much of Monreal. He hasn't been called into action defensively a great deal, nor has been utilised going forward.

Not to be. Nzonzi looks to get Stoke moving once again, and it's something of a stalemate at the Emirates for now.

Wilkinson keeps Koscielny off the ball in the area at the expense of a throw, and Arsenal keep their defenders upfield for it, sensing a chance.

Wenger watching on very nervously on the sidelines. Watching a side with a recent history of defensive frailties against an uncompromising Stoke can have that effect.

If Arsenal win today they could end the day in the top four places. There's plenty at stake. Stoke, meanwhile, look safe enough in tenth (as things stand).

Crouch wins a corner - long ball from Shawcross, chested down by Crouch, who is then played in for a half-volley from the edge of the area. Szczesny tips it away.

Stoke's turn to string a few passes together. They're going nowhere in particular with it, however, with Shawcross eventually on the ball.

Peter Crouch has scored 7 goals in 16 Premier League apps against the Gunners. (Infostrada)

Diaby played in by Sagna, and it takes a diving lunge from Shawcross to get his cross away and out of danger.

So far so strong from Stoke, and Arsenal's more incisive play has not quite clikced into gear yet. The hosts still dominating the possession, however.

Oxlade-Chamberlain with the through ball for Monreal, but the Spaniard's super run is not matched by the quality of the pass. He can't get there.

A bit of head tennis from Arsenal has the desired effect, getting Wilshere on the ball.

Etherington takes on Sagna and cannot get around him, giving a goal kick. But both players seem to be wincing after that clash.

Walcott seems to have an eternity to pick his moment and feed Giroud a pass - but the Frenchman travels down the flank to get on the end of it and is boxed off.

Shawcross lumps the ball forward, before Whelan tries a more considered through ball.

Arteta goes down in a challenge in the air with Etherington clutching his face. Play continues, but Stoke's move fizzles out.

Oxlade-Chamberlain drives towards the penalty area but is ushered off the ball. The move is broken up at the expense of a corner, though - Mertesacker and Koscielny both come upfield.

Slick - Arteta to Walcott down the right, but his cross is just behind the runners into the box.

Arsenal have scored 14 in their last four home games - they are a serious danger going forward. But Stoke's defence is one of the tightest in the league at present.