Theo Walcott started up front and scored to  give Arsenal the lead in the 2-0 defeat of Stoke City on Saturday.

The Arsenal forward played up front for the second Premier League game in a row and, despite missing a series of opportunities, netted the opener as the Gunners went on to win at home for the first time this season.

A couple of chances had already come and gone for Walcott, who put a rebound from an Alexis Sánchez effort and a free header into the Clock End early in the first half.

Just after the half hour mark the England man scored his first of the campaign, and Arsenal’s first at the Emirates Stadium this season, neatly sliding the ball under onrushing goalkeeper Jack Butland. However, he didn’t want to take too much credit.

“It’s things that people might not notice, like the tackle from Francis. He’s in that position for a reason, you can see it there, and that just started off the rhythm of the movement,” Walcott said to Arsenal.com after the game.

“Obviously Mesut’s ball was fantastic, and it was all down to the touch. It put the defender out of the game. I was pleased with that goal. I was disappointed because I should have got many, many more, but I’m in the chances so I’m happy with that.”

It is much more concerning for a striker to not be on the end of chances at all than to be missing them, so Walcott has that going for him. He helped Arsenal create a number of efforts and if he continues to get in good areas goals will surely come.

The one he did stick in the back of the net was cooly taken, so let’s hope for more of the same as the season goes on.