Wenger ready for title fight

With Lucas Perez not signed until late in the transfer window and a failed move for Leicester’s Jamie Vardy earlier in the summer, Sanchez was Wenger’s only experienced option – and the Frenchman was delighted with the outcome. They’re just three points adrift of league leaders Chelsea, and find themselves in a healthy position heading into the traditionally problematic festive period.

Wenger did not want to be drawn on discussion of Arsenal’s title rivals, beyond saying that Yaya Toure’s return was a “Christmas present” for City, but insisted that his priority was to make Arsenal as good as they possibly can be for the rest of the season.

“Today I thought we gave a good account of ourselves, we went with a positive outlook, we are not trying to say we deserved to win but we will take the positives out of it from the performance not the result”.

Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil celebrates a goal. And on the bright side we have Mustafi’s fellow German, Per Mertesacker, very close to full fitness, and although he has been slagged off in the past he still has a brilliant record when played as Koscielny’s partner.

ARSENAL WENT top of the Premier League after a competent 3-1 success against Stoke this afternoon (December 10).

Walcott stabbed in Hector Bellerin’s low cross for the equaliser three minutes before the break and Ozil’s looping header made it 2-1 five minutes after the interval.

Four minutes into the second half, Stoke’s defense was static as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s delicately placed chip flew over them and the unmarked Ozil’s header flew over goalkeeper Lee Grant.

Swansea City climbed off the foot of the table at Sunderland’s expense with a 3-0 home win over the north-east club in which Spain worldwide Fernando Llorente scored twice.

“It’s the sixth time that we are down in the game and come back to win since the start of the season”.

But Swansea were awarded a penalty when Wayne Routledge’s cross was handled and Sigurdsson stepped up to fire home from the spot after 51 minutes and they doubled their lead soon afterwards when a Sigurdsson corner was finished off by Fernando Llorente.

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal must maintain the standards they set in beating Stoke if they are to last the course in the Premier League title race.

Hull City, who drew 3-3 at home to Crystal Palace, are second from bottom.

29′ – GOAL! Arsenal 0-1 Stoke: Adam, on his birthday, puts the visitors ahead, sending Cech the wrong way.

Similarly, Stoke are also on a good run of form having won their last two games and will be confident coming into the game against the Gunners.

In the early kickoff, Italy global Stefano Okaka struck his first goals for Watford in their 3-2 victory over Ross Barkley’s Everton.