Stoke 1 Arsenal 4: Gunners keep top-four hopes alive as Olivier Giroud bags brace in thrashing

ARSENAL gave their top-four hopes a huge boost as they thrashed Stoke 4-1 with an accomplished away performance.

Importantly, they vastly improved their goal difference, which is now equal to that of fourth-placed Liverpool, with the Gunners just a point behind.

Olivier Giroud put the visitors ahead just three minutes before half-time when he finished off a flowing move to sweep home.

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The much-maligned Mesut Ozil made it 2-0 ten minutes into the second half after he was beautifully picked out by Alexis Sanchez in the box.

Substitute Peter Crouch then had the home fans dreaming of a magnificent comeback when he scored, albeit with his hand, from a Marko Arnautovic ball into the box.

But the Potters' joy was short lived. Sanchez, who was carrying an injury, fired home for 3-1, with Bellerin again getting the assist.

And Giroud wrapped up an impressive away victory when he slotted home his side's fourth goal.

Now it's over to Liverpool.

Facts, Stats, Goals and Lols

• Arsene Wenger's side are now a point behind Liverpool, who occupy the fourth and final Champions League spot, and three points below third-place Manchester City, who beat Leicester City 2-1
• Liverpool have played the same number of games as Arsenal and look the team the most susceptible to be overtaken by Wenger's men, who now have the same goal difference

• Liverpool visit West Ham United on Sunday and host relegated Middlesbrough on the final day, while Arsenal host relegated Sunderland on Tuesday and finish the campaign at home to Everton.
• Peter Crouch was described as "using all his experience" by handballing for the Stoke goal - but we are sure anyone of any experience could do that.
• Sanchez settled fluttering Arsenal hearts by arrowing a shot into the bottom-left corner before departing, having apparently sustained a thigh injury.

Big Picture

Social Says

Dream Team Ratings

Stoke: Butland 5, Johnson 6, Shawcross 5, Martins Indi 6, Pieters 5, Cameron 6, Whelan 6, Shaqiri 6, Allen 5 (Crouch, 60 6), Arnautovic 7 (Sobhi, 81 6), Diouf 6 (Berahino, 61 6)

Subs (not used): Muniesa, Adam, Walters, Grant

Goals: Crouch (67)

Booked: Crouch

Arsenal: Cech 6, Holding 7, Mustafi 7, Koscielny 6, Bellerín 7, Coquelin 6, Xhaka 7, Monreal 7, Özil 7 (Welbeck, 83 6), Sánchez 9 (Ramsey, 77), Giroud 8 (Walcott, 84 6)

Subs (not used): Gabriel, Ospina, Iwobi, Elneny

Goals: Giroud (42, 80), Ozil (56), Sanchez (76)

Booked: Mustafi, Holding

Star Man: Sanchez (Arsenal)

What They Said

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: "We had the continuity of our performances, and even when we went 2-1 with a dodgy goal we showed character.

"We looked like we were in control. In the second half they made it a bit rough, but we had to hold our nerve and overall had a good focus and didn't give in.

"He asked to come off, but he is special, not only because of his special talent but his resources, he is a fighter, and he showed it today.

"He has shown again that it is not only about talent, but about desire and fighting and he has that aswell.

"We have 69 points tonight, we have gone through a difficult period in March, at the moment we have consistency, so let's finish well.

"It's important to recover and keep the same focus.

"We are 69 tonight, let's go to 72 on Tuesday, but Sunderland have nothing to lose."

Goalscorer Olivier Giroud: "Everything was not so easy today, we knew it would be a tough game but we have been efficient up front and compact and aggressive at the back.

"It's a great win today, and we have more finals to come.

"Obviously we have to do the job, but I will be a big fan of West Ham tomorrow, they have all my support.

"But we have to do our job and see if the other results go.

"We are going to keep the faith."

Defender Rob Holding: "Crouch got that goal, their fans got a bit louder, but we got them on the break and polished them off."