Half-Time Report: Stoke City three up against Arsenal

Stoke City have taken a shock 3-0 lead into half time of their Premier League match against Arsenal this afternoon thanks to goals from Peter Crouch, Bojan and Jonathan Walters.

There were 19 seconds on the clock when Crouch gave the Potters the lead by finishing from close range after Hector Bellerin failed to clear a ball into the box.

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The striker's goal, his eighth against Arsenal, was the quickest scored in the Premier League this season and it was just reward for Stoke's good start as they penned the visitors back into their own half.

Alexis Sanchez broke away and linked up with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as Arsenal began to assert themselves, but the Chilean was crowded out inside the box.

Arsene Wenger's side found it increasingly difficult as the half wore on, with Bojan in particular proving to be a real menace for Stoke.

Santi Cazorla tried his luck from long range, narrowly missing the target, before firing a free kick over moments later.

Their profligacy was punished by Bojan, who converted from close range to double his side's advantage.

Asmir Begovic then needed to be alert to tip over Olivier Giroud's header as Arsenal looked to get back into the game.

It was Stoke who went further in front, however, as Walters fired in to give the game a remarkable scoreline going into the break.