Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud net in Arsenal victory

Goals from Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud have earned Arsenal a comfortable 2-0 victory against Stoke City.

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The Gunners should have taken the lead after just three minutes but after a header from Alexis Sanchez was saved by Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland, Walcott could only blaze the rebound wide of the post from three yards.

Moments later, another chance went Arsenal's way, but the post was Stoke's saviour on this occasion after Sanchez had beaten Butland with a low drive.

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After initially finding themselves camped inside their own half, Stoke finally settled into the match but on 31 minutes, Arsenal edged in front through Walcott, who sprinted onto a through-ball from Mesut Ozil before applying a cool finish past Butland.

The visitors responded well to record their first shot on target, but Joselu's effort was never troubling Petr Cech in the Arsenal goal.

Early in the second half, Aaron Ramsey wasted an opportunity on the edge of the box after being found by Ozil, before Stoke replied through Xherdan Shaqiri, who was denied by a solid block by Cech.

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Just before the final quarter, Walcott should have netted his second of the afternoon after meeting a cross from Hector Bellerin but his header was weak and straight at Butland.

With five minutes left, however, Arsenal finally had their second when Giroud, who had replaced Walcott, rose highest in the penalty area to send a header past into the corner for his second of the campaign.