Van Persie comes off the bench to rescue Arsenal

Arsenal continued their good run of form with a 3-1 win over Stoke as Robin Van Persie came off the bench to score two goals to give the Gunners 3 points at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon. The win pushed Arsenal up to seventh in the table.

Gervinho grabbed Arsenal's first goal as Crouch drew the visitors level 10 minutes from half time. Van Persie again saved Arsenal and continued his great goal scoring form with two goals from cutbacks from Gervinho, who played one of his best games in an Arsenal shirt so far.


Arsene Wenger was forced to make changes from last week's match as Djourou replaced Jenkinson at right back who was forced out with an injury which he sustained in midweek in the Champions League. Meanwhile Ramsey returned from injury after he missed last weeks match, he came in for Rosicky. Andre Santos also was forced into the squad as Gibbs is now also injured. Chamakh replaced Van Persie up front who was being rested. Alex Song captained the side in the absence of Robin Van Persie.

Gervinho and Van Persie - Arsenal's star performers

Arsenal almost took the lead on just fifteen minutes as Ramsey played the ball into Gervinho who got a touch to the ball but Begovic in the Stoke goal came out and claimed the ball.

Arsenal's next chance fell to Ramsey. Arteta drifting in a free kick which eventually found its way to Gervinho on the left hand side who layed the ball off to Ramsey who drove a shot from just outside the box which went just wide of the goal.

Just before the half hour mark Arsenal took the lead through Gervinho. Ramsey clipping the ball into Gervinho who took the ball down before firing past Begovic from close range and finding the back of the net.

However the Gunners were only ahead for 7 minutes as Stoke grabbed an equaliser after Crouch had won a free kick from Koscielny's challenge. Whelan took the freekick which found Shawcross who headed the ball back across the goal. The ball was then flicked on by the boot of Upson which found Walters who then found Crouch who tapped the ball in from two yards out.

The score at half time was 1-1.

Alex Song capained the side for the match

Arsenal again were the team creating the chances and Alex Song almost managed to get through the Stoek defence as he got forward but Whitehead managed to tackle him and poked the ball out for a corner.

Seven minutes after Van Persie had come on he scored to make it 2-1 with Arsenal's next chance. Arteta playing the ball out to the right hand side to Gervinho who got to the byline before cutting the ball back to Van Persie. He then got ahead of his man before poking the ball past Begovic for the Gunner's 200th league goal at the Emirates.

Eight minutes from the end of the match the Gunners made it 3-1 and it was Van Persie who got his second goal of the game. Arshavin finding Gervinho who this time ran down the left hand side before once again cutting the ball back to the Arsenal skipper. Van Persie got a right boot to the ball but Begovic looked to have saved it but instead fumbled the ball into the goal.

It was the dutchman's 25th goal in 26 Premier League games in 2011 and the first time in 11 months that Arsenal have won a League match after playing a Champions League match in midweek.

The final score finished Arsenal 3-1 Stoke.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Djourou, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Santos, Song, Arteta, Ramsey, Walcott(71), Gervinho(90), Chamakh(66).
Subs: Fabianski, Frimpong(90), Benayoun, Rosicky, Arshavin(71), Park, Van Persie(66).

Stoke: Begovic, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Upson, Wilson, Whelan, Whitehead, Delap(60), Etherington(74), Walters, Crouch(74).
Subs: Sorensen, Huth, Shotton, Diao(60), Palacios, Jerome(74), Jones(74).

My man of the match: Gervinho

Referee: Lee Mason
Attendance: 59,671