Stoke City's Jonathan Walters (L) shoots and scores his goal against Arsenal during their English Premier League soccer match in Stoke, northern England December 6, 2014 (Photo: Reuters)
Stoke handed Arsenal another dispiriting loss at Britannia Stadium, scoring three goals in the first half and then withstanding a late comeback attempt for a 3-2 victory in the Premier League.
Peter Crouch stunned a lackluster Arsenal side by putting Stoke ahead after just 19 seconds, and the hosts continued to dominate the first half as Bojan Krkic doubled the lead in the 35th and Jonathan Walters smashed in the third just before halftime.
Bojan had a goal ruled out for offside in the second half and Arsenal earned a penalty minutes later that Santi Cazorla converted in the 68th to give the visitors hope. Aaron Ramsey then slotted in the second two minutes later to make for a nervy finish, but Arsenal defender Calum Chambers was sent off for a second booking in the 78th and Stoke held on.
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