Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang bagged a brace as Arsenal beat Stoke City 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium in their Premier League encounter on Sunday, writes DEAN WORKMAN.

The Gunners hosted the Potters with both teams desperate for the points, although for different reasons. Arsene Wenger’s men needed the three points to still have an outside shot at the top four while Paul Lambert’s men were looking to steer clear of the relegation zone.

The game got off to a lacklustre start as the home side had plenty of the ball but still did not look threatening against a well organised Stoke side.

The pattern remained the same for much of the first half, much to the frustration of the home support. Bar a couple of half chances the Gunners still struggled to really test Jack Butland in the Stoke goal.

Goalless at half-time, Wenger’s team had 68 percent of the possession but created very little while only producing one shot on goal in the entire half. Stoke defended really well and gave the Gunners very little space to work with when they did attack.

The second half started and the game quickly fell back into the same pattern as the first with Lambert’s team showing great discipline in defence, not allowing the home side an inch.

Stoke then went close as the game began to open up. A corner kick for Xherdan Shaqiri missed everyone including David Ospina but rattled the crossbar.

Arsenal then took the lead when Bruno Martins Indi, brought down Mesut Ozil in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Aubameyang stepped up and made no mistake in rolling the ball into the bottom corner. 1-0 to Arsenal with 75 minutes gone.

The Gabonese striker then got his second of the game, wrapping up the fixture with 85 minutes gone. A deflected corner fell to the striker at the back post, he steadied himself and riffled his shot into the bottom corner, 2-0 with 86 minutes played.

Arsenal were then awarded a second penalty as Badou Ndiaye shoved Alexandre Laccazette in the box and the referee again pointed to the spot. It was the former Lyon striker who took the spot kick, making no mistake to secure the three points.

Lambert’s men looked comfortable for large parts of the encounter but ended up well and truly beaten by the Gunners, 3-0 the final score.

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