Stoke 1 Arsenal 0: Watch highlights as Jese Rodriguez scores on debut for Potters as Alexandre Lacazette misfires on rainy evening at Bet365 Stadium
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JESE SHOWED the killer touch that embarrassed Arsenal with a brilliant debut strike.
The Spanish wide man who only arrived on loan from Paris Saint-Germain struck less than a minute into the second half.
He played a 1 – 2 with Saido Berahino and with the Gunners defence all over the place, buried a low strike.
Jese, who won two Champions League medals with Real Madrid, showed what could be done with determination and a little pace.
As against Arsene Wenger’s side who had spent all of the first half strolling around.
Goalkeeper Jack Butland made a few stops before the break but none other than a block from Aaron Ramsey, were anything to write home about.
But Hughes’ side twice spurned fine opportunities to take the lead before Jese’s celebrations.
The first was created by the Spaniard, 24, who illustrated just how dangerous he is going to be this season as he spurted out of hos own half and weaved his way through the Gunners ranks.
He cut back for Maxim Choupo-Moting who headed straight at Petr Cech.
Choupo-Moting then got free on the right to cross and Ryan Shawcross, unmarked, sent a ten yard header over the bar.
Wenger’s men started doing more hard yards after going behind.
And Butland made a gutsy block at the feet of Danny Welbeck with Kurt Zouma also piling in.
Alexandre Lacazette got the ball in the net in the 73rd minute only to be ruled offside.
But just before Petr Cech reacted brilliantly to divert a Berahino header with the Arsenal rearguard again spread-eagled.
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- Burnley 0 West Brom 1
- Leicester 2 Brighton 0
- Liverpool 1 Crystal Palace 0
- Southampton 3 West Ham 2
FACTS, STATS, GOALS AND LOLS
- Stoke have now lost just once in their last eight home games against the Gunners
- The result saw Arsenal lose to Stoke in the Premier League for the first time in six matches
- Arsenal are yet to win their opening two Premier League games since the 2009/10 campaign
- Mesut Ozil scored in both league matches against Stoke last season but failed to make an impact today
- Alexandre Lacazette missed out on becoming the first Arsenal player to score in both of his opening two Premier League appearances for the club, with the last being Ian Wright in 1991
- Mark Hughes finally got one over Arsene Wenger after losing more Premier League matches against the Frenchman than he has versus any other manager in the competition
WHAT THEY SAID
Stoke goal scorer Jese Rodriguez: “Yes (it was a dream debut). Coming here from Spain I realise the Premier League is tough and it’s great to get the first win of the season.
“Nothing comes easy in football. Stoke are a historic club and I’m really looking forward to getting involved with the lads. It’s a great opportunity for me. They’ve got a lot of great players.”
Stoke boss Mark Hughes: “Everyone knew what an acquisition Jese is. He’s a game-changer. You have to say he put a shift in too.
“When you think about it, he only had two or three training sessions. If that’s what’s to come then we’ll be delighted. He’s an elite player and can carry the fight for you.”
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SOCIAL SAYS
DREAM TEAM RATINGS
Stoke: Butland 8, Zouma 7, Shawcross 7, Cameron 7, Diouf 7, Fletcher 7, Allen 6, Pieters 6 (Martins Indi 6), Shaqiri 6 (Berahino 6), Jese 8 (Sobhi 6), Choupo-Moting 6
Subs not used: Johnson, Crouch, Bojan, Grant
Goal: Jese 47’
Arsenal: Cech 6, Mustafi 6, Monreal 6, Kolasinac 6 (Giroud 6), Oxlade-Chamberlain 8, Ramsey 6, Xhaka 6 (Iwobi 6), Bellerin 6, Ozil 7, Welbeck 6, Lacazette 5 (Walcott 5)
Subs not used: Mertesacker, Ospina, Coquelin, Elneny
Star Man: Jack Butland