Stoke City and Arsenal remain level at 1-1 after 45 minutes of football at the Britannia.
It was the home side who started the better and they might have led within a minute with a strike from Dean Whitehead, but Thomas Vermaelen cleared the danger.
Arsenal had a fine chance to take the lead after six minutes, however, with an effort from Yossi Benayoun, but his effort was clawed away by Potters stopper Asmir Begovic.
Robin van Persie was next to come close with a header, but Begovic produced a wonderful save to deny the Dutchman.
Stoke took the lead entirely against the run of play after nine minutes when Peter Crouch thumped a header into the back of the net.
It didn't take long for Arsenal to equalise, however, and Van Persie struck from close range after 15 minutes to level the score.
Van Persie might have added his second with an effort after 20 minutes, but Robert Huth was on hand to clear the danger, before Gervinho came close with an effort of his own.
The away side continued to dominate proceedings as the half approached its latter stages, but the score remained level at the break.
Matt Law
