<h1><a href="http://ftstips.blogspot.com/2016/01/stoke-0-0-arsenal-goalkeeping.html">Stoke 0-0 Arsenal: Goalkeeping Masterclasses Ensure Stalemate</a></h1>

Stoke 0-0 Arsenal: Goalkeeping Masterclasses Ensure Stalemate

Arsenal missed out on a chance to drag themselves two points clear of Leicester at the top of the Premier League as they were held by a stubborn Stoke side at the Britannia to extend their winless run at the stadium - which started in 2010.

The goalless scoreline wasn't an indictment of the quality of the game though, a huge improvement on the day's earlier match between Liverpool and Manchester United, but was instead a goalkeeping masterclass from the two best stoppers in the league this season.

The Gunners found themselves without the talismanic Mesut Ozil for the match against the Premier League's form side, ruled out late in the day with a slight foot injury which Arsene Wenger insisted was just a 'short-term' problem, but they didn't fail to make some excellent chances without him.
New man Mohamed Elneny was only deemed ready to start from the bench, and Arsenal fans will have to wait another match to see their new man in action as he stayed on the sidelines throughout the 90 minutes.

Joel Campbell in particular impressed - as he has more and more often this season - putting Olivier Giroud through midway through the first half only to see the Frenchman denied by some excellent work from Jack Butland, charging off his line.

It was Giroud who was denied by Butland in the second half too, looking on in disbelief when his strong header from an Aaron Ramsey corner failed to find the back of the net - denied by the outstretched hand of England's backup stopper.

Stoke vs Arsenal

It wasn't just Butland who was performing miracles in goal though, Petr Cech coming to life in the second half to pull off an incredible double save - first from Joselu and then from Bojan on the rebound, recovering well enough to keep his side in the game.

While Arsenal had perhaps the better of the chances, the draw in no way flattered the Potters - who kept themselves in the game with some good work in a reasonably tight and disciplined defensive performances. That was only half of the job though, with the midfield and forwards showing enough quality and threat in attack to keep the Gunners from overloading on attack, wary of the side who had scored more league goals than any other over the last month.

The game flowed at a frantic pace at its best, with both sides trying desperately to unlock the other before haring back when the ball was lost, but neither could find a way past the other's excellent goalkeepers.