Arsenal may have only put two past Stoke, but they really should have had a hatful.

29 shots, 12 of which were on target, they found themselves facing a keeper in splendid form.

So, how did the players do on an individual basis?

Petr Cech 7

Wasn’t tested at all barring having to come and punch one cross.

Nacho Monreal 7

Stable, reliable and up and down the wing like a pro.

Laurent Koscielny 7

Denied another goal against Stoke by a spectacular save from Jack Butland. Bossed it.

Gabriel 8 (smash bonus)

Smashed Arnautović across the face. It probably didn’t hurt as much as when the Stoke man shoved Mathieu Debuchy into the advertising hoardings, dislocating his shoulder, but it works for me. Cult icon in the making

Hector Bellerin 7

The best crosser in the side? Only an injury is handing Debuchy his shirt back.

Francis Coquelin 8

Picked by Setanta as the man of the match, Le Coq is still improving with every match.

Santi Cazorla 7

An assist and another solid display by the captain (for most of the match).

Aaron Ramsey 6

Wasn’t at his best but, as always, never stopped working and creating chances.

Alexis Sanchez 7

Looks like he’s back and only the keeper and the woodwork denied him from opening his account for the season. Was a pain in Stoke’s arse the entire game.

Mesut Ozil 7

Grabbed an assist when he played Theo in for the opener and generally looked like Mesut Ozil.

Theo Walcott 7

Missed a number of chances but opened the scoring. Not a natural goalscorer, but he is a natural winger. If he could learn to embrace that, he’d be amazing.

Subs

Oliver Giroud 8

Came on, played 15 minutes, scored one, missed one and should have had a penalty. Now scored more than all the ‘top’ strikers in the league this season and yet he’s still seen as ‘not good enough’ by many. Shut up.

Mikel Areta N/A

Came on with a few minutes to go. That’s about it really.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain N/A

Not sure he even touched the ball. Jokes, he won the freekick from which Giroud scored.