Gunners close gap to one point with 1-0 win

Arsenal closed the gap to just 1 point between themselves and Man Utd after a 1-0 win over Stoke at the Emirates on Wednesday night. A single goal from french man Squillaci sealed the win for the Gunners. However, the victory was overshadowed by the injuries to Fabregas and Walcott which meant they would be out of the Carling Cup final on Sunday. Arsenal had made two changes to their normal starting lineup with Squillaci and Bendtner coming in for the injured Koscielny and Van Persie.

Just a minute into the game Arsenal had a great chance to take the lead. Wilshere with a solo run and then finding Fabregas who put the ball into Walcott but his shot hit the post and fell back into the hands of the goalkeeper.

Arsenal were creating plenty of chances and another two fell to Walcott but he could not put either away.

Then Arsenal did take the lead through centre back Sebastian Squillaci. Wilshere's corner finding Bendtner at the back post who put the ball back into the area and Squillaci was there to head home from 3 yards out.

Arsenal were then forced into making a change as Arshavin came on for the injured Fabregas.

Stoke's first big effort of the game fell to John Carew who hit a shot from just outside the box but Szczesny dived to his right to make the save.

5 mintues from the break Arsenal got a free kick after Shawcross brought down Arshavin. Nasri took it and managed to get the ball over the wall but it went wide.

The score at half time was 1-0 to Arsenal.

The first chance of the second half fell to Stoke. Pennant whipping in a ball onto the head of Shawcross which was deflected off of Djourou and out for a corner.

Stoke then had another chance. Rory Delap with a long throw into the box which landed onto the head of Huth but he could only put his effort over the bar.

In a second half which Stoke had dominated they almost got a deserved equaliser from a Pennant free kick. Pennant managed to bend the ball around the wall but the shot hit the side netting and it remained 1-0.

In the dying moments of the game Arsenal were playing keep ball and almost managed to extend their lead when Nasri fired in a cross but Arshavin couldn't quite reach it.

The final score ended Arsenal 1-0 Stoke.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Sagna, Squillaci, Djourou, Clichy, Song, Wilshere, Fabregas(14), Walcott(70), Nasri, Bendtner(80).
Subs: Almunia, Gibbs, Eboue, Denilson(70), Rosicky, Arshavin(14), Chamakh(80).

Stoke: Begovic, Huth, Shawcross, Pugh, Whelan, Wilson(88), Pennant, Whitehead, Walters(77), Carew, Delap.
Subs: Sorensen, Higginbotham, Collins, Jones, Fuller(77), Diao, Wilkinson(88).

My man of the match: Jack Wilshere

Referee: Peter Walton
Attendance: 60,041