Arsene Wenger pleased with Arsenal’s performance in goalless draw: ‘It was an old-fashioned Stoke battle’

Arsene Wenger saluted Arsenal for emerging from another Britannia Stadium battle with a point that lifted them back to the Barclays Premier League summit.

The Gunners arrived in Staffordshire with just one previous win in the Premier League era, for another instalment of a rivalry that was spawned by Wenger's dislike of the Potters' tactics under Tony Pulis.

Mark Hughes has promoted a more aesthetically pleasing brand of football since succeeding Pulis, yet Wenger felt their hosts still presented a physical challenge that they were forced to overcome in a 0-0 draw.

In a clash that featured few chances and no yellow cards, goalkeepers Jack Butland and Petr Cech took centre stage with brilliant saves from Olivier Giroud and Joselu in either half.

"Overall it was a battle, an old-fashioned Stoke battle," Wenger said.

"They made the game very physical, the crowd were up for it, the players were up for it. They went for a very direct game and we had to show physical response, solidarity, fighting spirit, togetherness - which is what we did.

"We lacked a bit of creativity to force the way through and on top of that we missed two or three good chances. They were really up for it, they really tried from the first to the last minute.

"We of course wanted to win the game but, looking at the history we have here, it is a positive result. Looking at the results of the other teams that play at the top, it's a positive result. But, overall we missed two points today."